1.
Smallholder Cane Growing Schemes at
LUSIP and KDDP
The
prevailing financial situation of smallholder sugarcane growers at KDDP
requires that the programme be re-looked. It will also be advisable that
Government reconsider smallholder conditions within the LUSIP scheme. An
indiscriminate expansion of smallholder cane growing runs the risk of not
allowing the process of self-selection, and the adoption of good farming
practices as a condition for continuing growing cane. Otherwise smallholders
will incur unsustainable levels of debt.
It
stands to reason that, in the interim, the agronomy and economics of a variety
of crops and livestock activities should undergo vigorous and skilled research,
so that a sustainable way forward is found by the time LUSIP water is available
for irrigation in about 2008. The entry of new smallholder farmers through the
KDDP and LUSIP needs to be carefully
managed.
The early development of smallholder cane at Big Bend
was characterized by a “bottom up” approach. Swazi farmers on SNL approached
the millers with their desire to supply cane and were assisted by the millers
in accessing water rights, grower contracts (quotas), funding, and a “hands-on”
extension service. Most importantly, direct intervention and liaison with
Swazibank, Fincorp and SIDB, the funding banks, was taking place. The miller
created and staffed a Smallholder Liaison Unit and provided direct day-to-day
help and extension advice. The system worked well, but had to be scaled down
after the Government established its own programmes (including the creation of
SWADE) to drive the process of promoting smallholder cane growing.
The
operation of the smallholder schemes, in particular the organisation of the
farmers’ association, is not yet at par with the needs of an industry facing
serious challenges. The lack of efficient co-operation within and between
smallholders’ and Farmers’ Associations as well as medium-scale growers is a
cause of concern, as it can compromise any initiatives to rationalise the
operation of smallholder schemes. The mills require strict co-ordination of
ripening, harvesting and haulage to maximize their efficiency. Furthermore when
the LUSIP canal system becomes operational, there will be an additional need
for collaboration in water management. Water User Groups (WUGs) are planned to
accommodate blocks of land of up to 100ha.
Table
24: Declining Cane Yields at 11
Smallholders in Big Bend, mt/ha
|
Grower ID |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
|
109 |
|
|
|
|
|
65.0 |
|
104 |
59.2 |
88.7 |
100.6 |
106.0 |
85.2 |
97.6 |
|
103 |
152.6 |
86.8 |
64.5 |
87.2 |
71.2 |
50.4 |
|
102 |
133.0 |
133.0 |
80.5 |
73.0 |
58.2 |
62.7 |
|
101 |
76.4 |
64.8 |
75.1 |
67.2 |
55.1 |
77.2 |
|
100 |
|
72.7 |
102.6 |
94.0 |
87.0 |
90.8 |
|
97 |
|
|
|
72.9 |
76.6 |
60.7 |
|
99 |
|
|
79.8 |
75.3 |
69.8 |
75.0 |
|
95 |
65.1 |
78.4 |
91.0 |
77.4 |
73.1 |
78.0 |
|
93 |
75.0 |
70.5 |
66.9 |
56.1 |
48.5 |
64.3 |
|
92 |
91.7 |
96.0 |
98.8 |
91.8 |
97.2 |
97.3 |
|
Total |
653.0 |
691.0 |
833.0 |
805.0 |
706.0 |
759.0 |
|
Av. Yield,
t/ha |
93.0 |
86.0 |
84.0 |
80.0 |
72.0 |
75.0 |
Source:
Ubombo Sugar
A
result of this lack of coordination and implementation of good farm management
training programmes has resulted in a decline in yield levels well below those needed
to remain in business. Table 24
confirms the declining (o average) trend in cane yields from 11 selected
smallholders in the Big Bend area. It is necessary that a system be created and
applied to all plantings, which restores productivity and efficiency, whilst at
the same time promoting coordination of farmer groups to maximise efficiency in
the use of resources.
It
is proposed to make any future crushing contract subject to the smaller growers
agreeing to carrying out their farming operation as part of a group, and
subject to all groups or individual growers co-ordinating their activities with
the sugar mill and the grower’s bank. Grower contracts would therefore commit
the grower to accepting and implementing the best practice code developed by the
industry, and relevant stakeholders, regarding in-field and harvesting
practices.
Measures:
·
Implement management training programmes
·
Implement programmes for improving cane production and harvesting,
yields and sucrose content
·
Apply capacity building
programme to SWADE
Attach management