Cost of Cassava Farming Per Hectare in Nigeria
The cost of cassava production per hectare is shown as follows:
- Acquisition of one hectare farmland: ₦90,000 – ₦350,000
- Surveying and Land Documentation: ₦90,000 – ₦190,000
- Clearing, Ploughing and Harrowing: ₦45,000
- Cassava Stem: ₦20,000
- Planting: ₦11,000
- Irrigation: ₦290,000 – ₦640,000 (Optional)
- Fertilizers and Manure: ₦20,000 – ₦100,000 (Depending on soil fertility)
- Pesticides: ₦10,000
- Others: ₦90,000
Notes to the cost of cassava production per hectare in Nigeria
The following are the items in the cost analysis of a 1 hectare cassava farm:
Acquisition of farmland
You will need to acquire a farmland for you to engage in cassava farming. You can either acquire a farmland or you rent or lease a farmland. Renting a farmland may be cheaper in the short term.
The cost of land acquisition for one hectare is usually ₦90,000 – ₦350,000 depending on your location.
Surveying and Land Documentation
The cost of surveying the farmland acquired and other documentations is usually ₦90,000 – ₦190,000. Some cassava farmers do not need to incur this cost as they do not survey and do any documentation for their farmland.
Clearing, Ploughing and Harrowing
The cost of clearing, ploughing and harrowing should be ₦45,000. This cost can vary as per your location. The use of tractors is faster but can also be more expensive than the use of labourers for land clearing.
Cassava Stem
As a new cassava farmer, you may need to buy cassava stems to be used to grow cassava. The cost of cassava stems needed for one hectare of cassava farmland should be around ₦20,000.
Planting
The cost of planting of cassava stem per hectare is assumed to be ₦11,000. The cost of planting cassava stems varies as per location. The use of machines can reduce the cost of planting cassava stems on large acreages of land.
Irrigation
Irrigation may be used for cassava farming. The cost of irrigating a one hectare farmland of cassava is assumed to be ₦290,000 – ₦640,000. It should be noted that a significant percentage of cassava farmers in Nigeria do not use irrigation for cassava growing, they rather rely on the rains.
Fertilizers and Manure
The cost of manure and fertilizers per hectare of cassava is assumed to be ₦20,000 – ₦100,000. It should be noted that the actual cost of fertilisation will vary as per the fertility of your soil. Farmers with fertile soils will spend less on fertilizers and manure.
Pesticides
The cost of pesticides is expected to be ₦10,000. Cassava farmers in Nigeria hardly use pesticides because cassava is a hardy and resilient crop. However, if your cassava farm is infected with pests and diseases, you will need to use pesticides.
Others
Other expenses are expected to be ₦90,000.
How profitable is cassava farming in Nigeria
Cassava farming is profitable if done the right way. The Returns on Investment (ROI) on cassava farming is 50% – 300% depending on the yield and the season.
The prices of cassava are usually high at some years. The prices of cassava also have the peak time and the off peak time every year. The onus is on the farmer to try to harvest and sell his cassava produce when the prices are at the highest level. This will make the farmer maximize his profit.
Do you grow cassava? If yes, why not share the cost of your cassava farming venture with us in the comments’ section.
Read our article on the best month to plant cassava.
