The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture-led Cassava Weed Management Project (IITA-CWMP) is to set up 136 demonstration plots for farmers in Abia, Benue, Oyo and Oyo States.
Godwin Atser, IITA Communication expert, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, stated that the programme would involve an agreement with the farmers to assist them in improving weed management practices for cassava production.
Atser said that IITA established 58 similar on-farm trials across the cassava producing zones of the country in 2016.
He said that under the agreements, participating farmers would make available plots of land for the on-farm demonstrations.
“They will also provide adequate security on the land during the research duration to prevent theft and cattle invasion.
“The demonstrations are farmer-led; farmers will keep records of the farm activities and share these records with the nominated authorised representative of IITA-CWMP,” he said.
Atser said that the institute would also provide free fertilisers, herbicides and planting materials for farmers on the demonstration plots.
He said farmers would notify IITA-CWMP when the harvesting period is due for a joint harvest to allow the institute collate necessary data on the plots.
“All proceeds, except 30 per cent of cassava stems, from the demonstration plot will go to the farmers provided the farmers keep to the terms of the agreement,’’ he said.