Profitability of a Smallholder Late Season Rapid Multiplication of Cassava Stem Enterprise in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of increasing poultry manure rates on the soil physicochemical properties, crop productivity and economic returns to investment of late season rapid multiplication of cassava stem enterprise at the Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Technology, Owerri in the humid rainforest of Southeastern Nigeria. Nine (9) treatments consisting of three cassava densities (1.0 x 1.0, 1.0 x 0.5, 1.0m x 0.25m) treated with three rates of poultry manure (0, 2 and 4 tons/ha) were laid out in 3 x 3 factorial arrangement in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. . Growth and yield data were collected and statistically analyzed using Genstat 2000. The application of poultry manure increased soil acidity from 4.07 to 4.31 and improved nutrient availability. The investment capital was #600,942- 1,107,422 per hectare. The benefit cost ratio was high (-0.32, - 2.21). The highest return 2.21 was achieved when cassava cuttings were spaced 1.0 x 0.25m and treated with 4tons/ha of poultry manure. Rapid multiplication of cassava stem cuttings enterprise is viable.