Product development
A decision support tool on best planting practices for cassava systems in SW Nigeria and Eastern zone of Coastal Tanzania
Overall Goals
Demand-driven, rapid, cost-effective development of relevant decision support tools guiding farmers (through extension agents) in choosing best suited planting practices for cassava and intercrops; mainstream approaches for adoption by public and/or private sector in development (NGOs)Primary client
Extension agents and farmers of development organizations: CAVA-II and Oyo State Cassava Growers Association (OYSCGA) in Nigeria, and Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) in Tanzania (with a focus on weed control – introduced in year 2)
Tool format
Best Planting Practices Expert Application for crop advisors (software application, paper-based manuals and extension guides)
Outcome goals
Best planting practices for selected AoIs by country; protocol for optimal planting density by variety and system, optimal tillage regime by soil conditions and fertilizer use
Product development protocol
(continuously validated and refined in a collaborative effort involving IITA, FUNAAB, NRCRI, ARI, CIAT, ETH and KUL)
identify planting practices that contribute to maximizing cassava root yields, conserve the natural resource base and require least labour and capital investment
develop draft recommendations from existing literature on best planting practices (V0)
define AoIs for compatible planting practices to support cassava intensification
establish the status quo of cassava production through “crowd sourcing” of cropping practices and related yield data; include soil sampling at yield mapping locations
design and conduct field research on best combinations of planting practices including tillage, ridging, planting densities and fertilizer application to develop V1
validation in subsequent season
design and format tool to facilitate use by development organizations (VF)
