CASSAVA GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES(GAP)

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Kilifi Agricultural Sector Development Support Program (ASDSP) in collaboration with Agricultural Training Center (ATC) Mtwapa conducted a Ward Agricultural Officers(WAOs) three day training on cassava good agricultural practices in Malindi Pearl Hotel from 1st to 3rd March 2021. PlantVillage had the privilege to attend and take part in training the WAOs about PlantVillage Nuru App.

Kilifi County government has put more effort in cassava production and processing as a way of ensuring food security in the region.

Some of the topics that were discussed during the training were:

  • Minisett technology
  • Cassava pests and diseases
  • Plantvillage Nuru
  • Cassava varieties
  • Harvesting and post harvesting management of cassava

MINISETT TECHNOLOGY

Gladys Mrira from ASDSP went to the Central Tuber crops Research Institute in India to learn about the minisett technology which she spoke about during the training.

This technology uses small cuttings of two nodes planted in a nursery bed at a spacing of 10cm.The nursery bed is prepared to a fine tilth, cuttings placed 2 nodes facing upwards and covered lightly. Transplanting to the seed bed is done after 30 days.

Advantages of Minisett technology

  • It helps in rapid seed multiplication.
  • Minimizing number of diseased plants in the seed bed since infected plantlets can easily be rogued out at the nursery.
  • Very minimal cases of getting off types.
  • Reduced cost of transport and purchase of cuttings since only a few stem are needed.

CASSAVA PESTS AND DISEASES

Cassava brown streak disease, cassava mosaic disease, cassava green mite damage are some of the diseases affecting cassava production which lead to low yields.

Sooty Mold is a condition caused by Aphids pests in cassava. Whiteflies found at the bottom of the cassava leaf are responsible for transfer of diseases from one plant to another.

PLANTVILLAGE NURU

PlantVillage Dream Team members led by Mercyline Tsuma, Sophie Nadzua and Liverson Mwandembo trained the Ward Agricultural Officers on the use of the PlantVillage Nuru app to identify and diagnose cassava diseases. The use of Nuru in Kilifi County will come in handy and play a big role in increasing cassava production thus food security.

CASSAVA VARIETIES FOR COASTAL KENYA

Nzalauka variety with a planting duration of 6-8 months.This variety produces 21 tonnes of yield per acre.The is Karibuni variety of 8-12 months planting duration and produces 21 tonnes.The is also Shibe variety of 8-12 months and produces 28 tonnes.Another include Karembo variety of 8 month planting duration and produces 27 tonnes per acre.There is Siri variety of 8-12 months and yields of 23 tonnes per acre.There is also Tajrika variety that 8 months and produces 25 tonnes per acre.

HARVESTING AND POST HARVESTING MANAGEMENT OF CASSAVA

Harvesting cassava requires a lot of labour and is tedious but that is about to change because of a new technology called a semi-manual harvester which has its origin in Ghana. The harvesting tool operates according to the grip and lift principle and the lever principle.

Post harvesting techniques are ways to preserve cassava for a longer period of time since fresh cassava has a short life span after being harvested. These techniques include:

  • Storing tubers under soil after harvesting cassava. Dig a hole and place the cassava in a layer on top of that add a layer of soil. Repeat this process for all the cassava. The cassava will stay fresh for up to 3 weeks.
  • Coating the cassava tubers with wax which will preserve them for 2 months.
  • Storing in sawdust.

 

 Written By;Marion Makunyo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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