Farmers from Ruhango and Bugesera districts have seen cassava yields improve from 10-15kilograms to as a lot as 80-100 kilogrammes per plant via wider spacing, improved soil preparation and disease-control strategies.
The farmers attribute the rise to a farming technique that makes use of odd stem cuttings and natural manure that each one different farmers can have.
They dig deep holes and go away sufficient area between crops and boil stem cuttings earlier than planting to cut back illness dangers.
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Deogratius Ngezahayo from Ruhango District, mentioned he had historically harvested about 15 kilograms per cassava tree, however at this time the bottom yield he harvests is 50 kilogrammes minimal, with some crops producing as much as 100 kilogrammes.
“We used to plant cassava simply 40 centimetres aside, however now we go away one metre between crops. The distinction is large,” mentioned the 73-year-old farmer.
“The improved harvests have even led me to develop into an agricultural adviser in my village, the place I now practice different farmers.”
How it’s achieved
In accordance with Ngezahayo, the strategy begins by digging 2×2 metre planting holes and one metre deep, relying on the hardness of the soil.
The holes are full of manure and lined with topsoil earlier than cassava stem cuttings are planted.
Every planting gap is separated from the following by a one-metre distance to encourage wholesome root growth and make discipline administration simpler.
To scale back the unfold of pests and ailments, he mentioned stem cuttings are dipped in boiling water for about 10 seconds after which dried within the shade earlier than they’re planted.
“This remedy helps destroy pests on the cuttings and reduces the chance of ailments equivalent to cassava brown streak illness,” he mentioned.
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Jean Pierre Mudatinya, 54, from Bugesera District, mentioned he adopted comparable practices after receiving coaching from agricultural consultants.
Due to the district's compact soils, he digs planting holes about 60 centimetres deep and adjusts the depth in keeping with the situation of the land.
Mudatinya crops stem cuttings at an angle dealing with east, makes use of mulch to preserve moisture in the course of the dry season and enriches the planting holes with natural supplies equivalent to bean hulls, rice husks, maize stalks, rice straw and well-decomposed farmyard manure.
“If the soil is tougher, you might want to dig deeper so the roots have sufficient room to develop,” he mentioned.
He mentioned farmers ought to adapt the strategy to their soil situations moderately than copy suggestions from different areas.
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Past rising cassava manufacturing, the farmers mentioned the natural planting technique improves soil fertility, permitting crops equivalent to beans and maize to thrive alongside cassava.
The decomposing natural matter continues to nourish the soil, serving to farmers diversify manufacturing whereas making higher use of their land.
The farmers estimate that one hectare can accommodate greater than 1,000 cassava crops. They mentioned the vast spacing additionally permits intercrops to obtain sufficient daylight and vitamins, enhancing the general productiveness of the sphere.
In addition they harassed that controlling cassava ailments requires cooperation amongst neighbouring farmers as a result of pests and viruses can simply unfold from untreated fields via contaminated planting supplies.
The farmers, who showcased the strategies and harvests on the just-concluded AgriShow 2026, mentioned the practices present a sensible and inexpensive means for smallholder farmers to extend yields, enhance soil well being and strengthen meals safety utilizing regionally accessible natural sources.
Throughout 2026 farming season A, Rwanda’s cassava manufacturing was estimated at 569,110 metric tons, representing a 4.8% improve in comparison with Season A of 2025. The best manufacturing was recorded within the districts of Ruhango, Nyanza, Nyamasheke, and Kamonyi.
In Rwanda, cassava is grown on 236,357 hectares.
