BUSINESS PLAN FOR CASSAVA PRODUCTION

1

Cassava, an arable crop still remains an untapped goldmine in Nigeria and the recent hike in the price of its by-product (especially Garri) has made this crop even more special. But am not here for description but exposure of realities in this goldmine.

This piece of write up is sincere and backed with experience, therefore only meant for serious mind (with and without cassava experience)

Cassava production is divided into:

– Pre-planting operations
– Planting operations
– Post-planting operations
– Harvesting and
– Storage

PRE-PLANTING OPERATIONS

This entails land preparation which includes clearing, ploughing (optional) and then stumping. Burning is not advisable in agriculture, though local farmers indulge in it. Herbicide application is next.

PLANTING OPERATIONS

Firstly, heaps or mounds are made (this is also optional. reason being that at the difference between the yield of zero heaps or mounds is not much compared to the money spent making it) before planting. The stem is cut and then planted slightly at about 450 angles.

POST-PLANTING OPERATIONS

This includes procedures such as weeding, fertilizer application, mulching. Weeding is done as soon as weeds are just emerging. Next is organic fertilizer application (most preferable fertilizer and it is applied just after weeding). The second wedding is also done before maturity.

NOTE- Cassava can cope with poor soil, but not with weeds

HARVESTING AND STORAGE

Most cassava species mature at about 12 months after planting. Cassava can be processed into so many by-products, but we will be concerned about Garri.

BUDGET FOR CASSAVA PRODUCTION BUSINESS PLAN

S/N ITEM QTY/NAIRA QTY COST

1. Renting of land 10,000 1 20,000
2. Cutlass 1000 2 2,000
3. Cassava stem 300 60 bundles 18,000
4. Hand weeder 500 2 1000
5. Land clearing 20,000
6. Packing and burning 10,000
7. Weeding 10,000 Two times 20,000
8. Organic manure 25,000
9. Grinding of cassava 70,000
10. Big bowl 1500 5 7,500
11. Palm oil 88,000
12. Transportation 20,000
13. Harvesting cost 20,000
14. File 1000 2 2,000
15. Frying pan 15,000
16. Frying 80,000
17. Others 20,000
18. Total 438,500 YIELD

A hectare of cassava will yield about 2200 custard plastic.

One rubber plastic at the wholesale rate is N800 x 2200 will give N1, 760,000 NET PROFIT N1, 760,000- N438, 500 will give N1, 321, 500 So cassava production to Garri isn’t a bad business at all.

Written by:  Othuke Ufeli