By Olivia Obong’o
Published March 7, 2025

Cassava is a root crop that  tolerates low soil fertility and drought in the current era marked by climate change and depleted soil fertility. The flour of cassava, a tropical root crop that thrives in warm, well drained soils with moderate rainfall, is not just rich in carbohydrates but also in vitamin C, an important vitamin that acts as an antioxidant, supports production of collagen and enhances body immunity. It is also a good source of copper, a mineral necessary for neurotransmitter synthesis, energy production and iron metabolism.

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A cup of cassava flour (285 grammes) has about 110 grammes of carbohydrates, 5 grammes of fibre and 4.5 grammes of sugar.

Cassava tubers can also be peeled and boiled, fried or deep fried for human consumption. Ever heard, seen or tasted cassava chips or crisps?

Cassava is also a good source of protein and carbohydrates that can be used as animal feed for pigs, poultry and ruminants.

Cassava root can be chipped, pelletized, sun-dried or fed fresh to domestic animals.

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Cassava leaves can be used as silage, dried for feed supplementation or used as leaf meal for animals.

Cassava stems can be mixed with leaves and used as ruminant feed or dried for feed concentrates.

By-products of cassava can be dried and used as animal feed or as substrate for single cell protein production.

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According to experts, cassava is particularly suitable for animals because:

• it is easy to digest in the rumen
• its starch is highly digestible compared to maize
• it can be used as a sole source of energy feed.

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Get high quality cassava cuttings for planting and cassava tubers for food from us.