South Africa’s small sugar farms are producing less than they could: study finds ways to boost them

South Africa has around 25,653 small-scale sugarcane growers , making the industry a lifeline for rural communities in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

By generating 65,000 direct and 270,000 indirect jobs, its agricultural and milling operations support more than a million livelihoods in these areas.

But the productivity of many small-scale growers remains well below potential.

Production constraints are limiting both farm profitability and the sector’s overall contribution to rural economic development.

The growers face complex challenges that go beyond access to technical farming advice.

A six-year research project by senior entomologist Lawrence Nkosikhona Malinga and his colleagues at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, South African Farmers Development Association and South African Canegrowers looked to identify and address some of the challenges.

They found variations in growers’ education levels, language barriers, lack of funding, lack of technical expertise and poor planning of crop production.

Some of the key findings are that issues such as weed pressure, weak planning systems, contractor dependence, limited access to seedcane and poor technical support undermine productivity and profitability.

The project identified lessons for agricultural systems and smallholder farmer support programmes.

What are the 4 biggest challenges for small-scale sugarcane growers? 1.

Weed pressure Many growers struggle with choosing and measuring herbicide, applying it at the right time, and the cost.

Due to financial constraints, they sometimes use less herbicide than is needed, or they delay application.

They manage weeds after they appear instead of preventing them.

Poor weed control has major consequences.