Work Program - KZN Small Scale Cane Growers

Funders
Gijima KZN with additional funding contributions from Tongaat Hulett's Sugar, Nedbank, South African Sugar Association, Standard Bank, SA Cane Growers and the Department of Agriculture and Environment Affairs.

 

Description
Small scale growers farm between 0.5ha and 30ha of cane land. In 2003, according to SA Cane growers, there were 48000 registered small scale growers of which 28 000 delivered cane and produced 13% of the total crop. In the last season there were 33 700 registered small scale growers and only 14 445 delivered cane producing 8.4% of the total crop. Small scale cane growers inject between R450m and R600m/year into the deep rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal but their contribution to the industry has declined over the past decade. If small cane growers are forced out of business it will spark large scale unemployment and migration from rural areas, putting stress on urban infrastructure, the provincial economy and social life.

Lima undertook several studies on behalf of small scale growers and suggested group farming ventures as an alternative model to individual farming to overcome issues of farm size and overhead costs. With several groups formed but lack of funding for implementation, Lima applied to Gijima KZN for a grant to fund and support small cane growers in KZN. These projects involve staff from Lima providing agricultural facilities, training and procurement and engineering supervision to the small scale cane growers. Through these projects good working relationships have been established with: Tongaat Hulett's Sugar, Illovo, SA Canegrowers, South African Sugar Association and the South African Sugar Research Institute. It also hoped that given time, similar projects can revive the small cane grower industry into rural areas.

Impact
Eight new group projects totalling 929ha have been established since 2008. Gross annual income of R17 million is produced by these projects. The re-established area will generate income for these groups for the next 9 years if correctly harvested and managed.

Areas Of Implementation In Kwazulu-Natal

• Swayimane - uMshwati Local Municipality
• Umlalazi - Umlalazi Local Municipality
• Isinembe - Ndwedwe Local Municipality
• Kwakhosa - Umlalazi Local Municiplaity