Farmers from Ruhango and Bugesera districts have seen cassava yields increase from 10-15kilograms to as much as 80-100 kilogrammes per plant through wider spacing, improved soil preparation and disease-control methods. The farmers attribute the increase to a farming method that uses ordinary stem cuttings and organic manure that all other farmers can have. They dig deep holes and leave enough space between plants and boil stem cuttings before planting to reduce disease risks. ALSO READ: Cassava production rises as maize sees decline Deogratius Ngezahayo from Ruhango District, said he had traditionally harvested about 15 kilograms per cassava tree, but today the lowest yield he harvests is 50 kilogrammes minimum, with some plants producing up to 100 kilogrammes. We used to plant cassava just 40 centimetres apart, but now we leave one metre between plants. The difference is huge, said the 73-year-old farmer. The improved harvests have even led me to become an agricultural adviser in my village, where I now train other farmers. How it is done According to Ngezahayo, the method begins by digging 2×2 metre planting holes and one metre deep, depending on the hardness of the soil. The holes are filled with manure and covered with topsoil before cassava stem cuttings are planted. Each planting hole is separated from the next by a one-metre distance to encourage healthy root development and make field management easier. To reduce the spread of pests and diseases, he said stem cuttings are dipped in boiling water for about 10 seconds and then dried in the shade before they are planted. This treatment helps destroy pests on the cuttings and reduces the risk of diseases such as cassava brown streak disease, he said. ALSO READ: Bugesera: 30,000 land transfers recorded in 2025 Jean Pierre Mudatinya, 54, from Bugesera District, said he adopted similar practices after receiving training from agricultural experts. Because of the district's compact soils, he digs planting holes about 60 centimetres deep and adjusts the depth according to the condition of the land. Mudatinya plants stem cuttings at an angle facing east, uses mulch to conserve moisture during the dry season and enriches the planting holes with organic materials such as bean hulls, rice husks, maize stalks, rice straw and well-decomposed farmyard manure. If the soil is harder, you need to dig deeper so the roots have enough room to develop, he said. He said farmers should adapt the method to their soil conditions rather than copy recommendations from other regions. ALSO READ: Rwanda nears release of first biotech crops Beyond increasing cassava production, the farmers said the organic planting method improves soil fertility, allowing crops such as beans and maize to thrive alongside cassava. The decomposing organic matter continues to nourish the soil, helping farmers diversify production while making better use of their land. The farmers estimate that one hectare can accommodate more than 1,000 cassava plants. They said the wide spacing also allows intercrops to receive enough sunlight and nutrients, improving the overall productivity of the field. They also stressed that controlling cassava diseases requires cooperation among neighbouring farmers because pests and viruses can easily spread from untreated fields through infected planting materials. The farmers, who showcased the techniques and harvests at the just-concluded AgriShow 2026, said the practices provide a practical and affordable way for smallholder farmers to increase yields, improve soil health and strengthen food security using locally available organic resources. During 2026 farming season A, Rwanda’s cassava production was estimated at 569,110 metric tons, representing a 4.8% increase compared to Season A of 2025. The highest production was recorded in the districts of Ruhango, Nyanza, Nyamasheke, and Kamonyi. In Rwanda, cassava is grown on 236,357 hectares.
