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The short answer
In our labelled example, a hectare of cassava costs about ₦1,050,000 to grow, from land rent and clearing through stems, weeding, fertiliser and harvest. FAO figures cited by IITA put Nigeria's average yield at about 9.1 tonnes per hectare, while IITA's weed management work reported more than 20 tonnes with better weed control; at an example ₦120,000 per tonne, 9 tonnes barely covers the cost and 20 tonnes more than doubles it.
The yield gap is the whole story
Cassava is grown almost everywhere in southern and central Nigeria, and many people assume it is easy money because it tolerates poor soil. The problem is yield. An IITA report from April 2018, citing FAO data, put Nigeria's average at 9.1 tonnes per hectare and noted that Asian producers get more than twice that. Results from IITA's Cassava Weed Management Project showed farmers could exceed 20 tonnes per hectare by adopting its weed-control packages.
The same report says weed control takes 50 to 80% of the labour budget in cassava production. That is why the cost table below gives so much space to weeding, and why the profit table depends so heavily on tonnes per hectare.
Cost per hectare (example)
This is an example for one hectare on rented land, using tractor services and hired labour. Rates vary by state and season.
| Activity (example) | Cost (₦) |
|---|---|
| Land rent, one season | 80,000 |
| Clearing | 100,000 |
| Ploughing and harrowing | 90,000 |
| Ridging | 60,000 |
| Improved stems (60 bundles at ₦1,500) | 90,000 |
| Planting labour | 60,000 |
| Pre-emergence herbicide and application | 70,000 |
| Manual weeding, two passes | 120,000 |
| Fertiliser | 160,000 |
| Harvesting labour | 120,000 |
| Transport to buyer | 100,000 |
| Total | 1,050,000 |
If you own the land, use family labour or skip tractor services, your cost will be lower. If you have to clear virgin bush, it will be higher.
Expected yield and revenue (example)
Roots are often sold by the tonne, by the truckload or by the plot to processors. This table uses an example price of ₦120,000 per tonne of fresh roots.
| Yield (tonnes/ha) | Revenue at ₦120,000/t | Less ₦1,050,000 cost |
|---|---|---|
| 9 (close to national average) | 1,080,000 | 30,000 |
| 15 | 1,800,000 | 750,000 |
| 20 (IITA weed-control results) | 2,400,000 | 1,350,000 |
The difference between the first and last rows is mostly weeding done on time, healthy stems and planting at the right density. Fertiliser helps, but an unweeded field will not repay it.
The first three months decide the crop
Young cassava grows slowly and weeds grow fast. Until the canopy closes over the rows, weeds compete for light, water and nutrients, and a field that is weeded late rarely catches up. That is the practical meaning of IITA's point that weeding takes most of the labour budget.
- Before planting: clear and prepare the land so you start with a clean field.
- At planting: many farmers apply a pre-emergence herbicide, following the label and local extension advice.
- Early weeks: the first hand weeding or post-emergence treatment comes before weeds smother the young plants.
- Before canopy closure: a second weeding pass is common.
- Afterwards: the canopy shades out most weeds; spot-weed as needed.
Plant healthy stem cuttings from a trusted source. Stems from diseased fields carry problems into your farm, and poor stems are a false saving on a crop that stays in the ground for many months.
Harvest timing
Cassava can be left in the ground and harvested when prices or labour suit you, which is one of its strengths. The right maturity window depends on the variety: ask your stem supplier or state Agricultural Development Programme officer how many months your variety needs. Leaving it too long can make roots woody and lower their value to processors, while harvesting too early gives a lower yield.
Who buys cassava
- Garri processors: the largest local market; see what a garri processing business costs.
- Fufu, lafun and chips processors: often buy close to the farm.
- Starch, flour and ethanol factories: want volume and may set quality and delivery rules.
- Traders: buy the whole plot standing and handle harvest themselves, which saves you labour but lowers your price.
Selling to factories often requires a registered business, a bank account in that name and the ability to deliver to a schedule. The CAC fee schedule dated 29 May 2025 lists ₦20,000 for business name registration with a certified copy. Farmers' cooperatives can help small growers meet volume requirements together.
What to check first
- Who will buy your roots, at what price and in what form.
- Which improved variety suits your area, and where to get clean stems.
- Your weeding plan for the first three months, priced in labour or herbicide.
- Whether your land floods; cassava does poorly in waterlogged soil.
- Harvest labour and transport availability at the time you plan to sell.
Where Pryme fits
A farm that pays labour gangs and receives from processors can use a Pryme Business Account and pay workers in one approved run with bulk payouts. You can issue verifiable receipts through VerifyDoc.ai for root sales (receipts), which helps when a buyer's accounts team needs proof. For collecting from processors, see how to get paid in Nigeria.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to farm one hectare of cassava in Nigeria?
About ₦1,050,000 in our labelled example on rented land with hired labour and tractor services. Own land and family labour reduce it.
How many tonnes of cassava per hectare in Nigeria?
IITA, citing FAO, put the national average at about 9.1 tonnes per hectare; its weed-control trials reported more than 20 tonnes.
Is cassava farming profitable?
It depends on yield. In our example, 9 tonnes barely covers costs while 20 tonnes leaves about ₦1.35 million per hectare.
When is cassava ready for harvest?
It depends on the variety; ask your stem supplier or state ADP officer for the maturity period of the variety you plant.
Sources
- IITA: Nigeria cites weeds as major productivity drawback in cassava farming (28 Apr 2018) · accessed Oct 2026
- CAC: New Schedule of Fees (29 May 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
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