Fifteen years ago, there were almost three times as many small sugarcane growers in Mauritius than today.
South Africa – Lack of milling capacity squeezing smallholders – 2 million tonnes cane may not be crushed [Full subscriber]
With three months left in the current campaign, there’s a serious concern that small-scale cane growers will not be able to supply some 2 million tonnes of cane to sugar mills due to lack of milling capacity, according to the South African Farmers Development Association (SAFDA).
Millions of smallholders not benefiting from opportunities that digital innovation in farming proffers [Full subscriber]
The digital age certainly holds promise for the world’s half-billion smallholder farmers. Smartphones with the right apps can tell farmers when it’s likely going to rain, how to identify and eradicate pests and negotiate the prices for a bountiful harvest delivered by a combination of hard work and big data -actionable information supplied in a timely manner.
Zimbabwe – Tongaat to persist with the ZW$1 billion cane project following government reassurance [Full subscriber]
Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe (THZ) has re-affirmed its commitment to the ZW$1 billion (US$2.76 million) Kilimanjaro Sugar Cane Project in Chiredzi, with the firm and some local banks investing more than ZW$320 million. This was presaged by the Government releasing a letter of undertaking to protect the investment, according to local press reports.
Philippines – Smallholders cane productivity increased to 100 t/ha by BPI-WWF initiative [Full subscriber]
The BPI Foundation and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines said that its PHP10-million (US$185,378) partnership has helped boost smallholders cane productivity in Negros Occidental from the previous 40 to 60 tonnes average per hectare to current 80 to 100 tonnes/hectare
Azerbaijan – Farmers incentivised with soft loans to grow sugar beet [Registered]
The National Entrepreneurship Support Fund (NFES) on March 15 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Union of Sugar Producers of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan Industrial Bank (ASB), overseen by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy, according to local press reports.
Malawi – EU’s grant of US$10.7 mln boosts smallholders cane productivity [Registered]
Reviewing the some 6 billion kwacha (US$10.7 mln) funding to improve sugarcane production among small scale growers for two years in Chikwawa, the EU Head of Delegation, Ambassador Marchal German said the average net income had risen by more than 100% from MK415, 000 in 2010 to MK840, 000 (US$1500) in 2014, literacy levels increased by 90.2% and sugar yields have increased by 6.4%.
Kenya – Government funds installation of weigh bridges to support smallholders [Registered]
Company Chairman Joash Wamang’oli acknowledged the problem of spillage and resulting reduced income for smallholders that followed when their cane is weighed in the factory.
Monthly Snapshot
Raw sugar for March delivery settled at 19.82 cents/pound on January 18 after reaching a two-and-a-half-week high earlier in the session at 20.25 cents. The white sugar contract expiring in […]
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