acp sugar research programme steering committee april 2012 increasing sugarcane yields for...
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ACP SUGAR RESEARCH PROGRAMMESteering Committee April 2012
Increasing Sugarcane Yields For Smallholder Farmers Through Improvements In Irrigation Scheduling
SWAZILAND SUGAR ASSOCIATION
TECHNICAL SERVICES
P. O. Box 367, Simunye, Swaziland Tel: (268)383-8998; Fax (268)383-8731 E-mail: [email protected]
BackgroundProject Goals and Objectives Project EnvironmentProgress To Date ChallengesRisks and Mitigation Measures TakenComing Year Forecast
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
BACKGROUND• Study by SSATS has shown that most smallholder farmers
do not follow any form of irrigation scheduling.• This has led to potential losses in sugarcane productivity; – Losses in irrigation water– Increase in electricity cost for pumping– Leaching of nitrogen fertilizers resulting in high fertilizer
costs– Aggravated soil losses and therefore pollution of the
environment– Increase in weeds and weed control costs– Increasing need for drainage installation
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES1. Goals
To increase smallholder growers’ understanding of irrigation scheduling
To effectively use smallholder grower extension collaborators as a major factor in helping farmers to learn irrigation scheduling
To improve smallholder grower cane yields and quality
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES (cont’d)2. Objectives To provide irrigation scheduling training for selected
smallholder growers to be used as extension service collaborators
To provide selected growers with information on irrigation scheduling techniques (using Canepro, Peg Board, Irrigation Profit/Loss Records and Soil Auger systems).
To ensure growers learn about timely and proper amount of water application during irrigation
To assist selected growers in learning how to effectively use the irrigation scheduling techniques to improve the cane yield and quality
PROJECT ENVIRONMENT1. Political Climate Remains stable for the foreseeable future (project life
time)
2. Weather Conditions Remain favourable for sugarcane production and the
minimum of 400mm of rainfall between October and March was exceeded. Water storage dams remain at full capacity
3. Markets and Prices The African and European markets remained stable for
Swazi sugar and prices are looking better for 2012/13
PROJECT ENVIRONMENT (cont’d)4. Prevailing Legal and Regulatory Framework Remains conducive to increased farmer involvement in
technology use The regulatory environment for sugar trading remains
adequate
5. Low Cost Technology Availability Required Computer hard/software and irrigation
scheduling tools exist on-shelf at low cost Irrigation equipment, peg boards, rain gauges, soil
augers etc available within the country SMS system sourced from a small vendor. SSA scouting
for other vendors for alternative supply in future
PROGRESS TO DATE1. Project Information
Information collected from participating growers and captured into Canesched (computer irrigation scheduling system) include:
• Irrigation Systems; types, discharge rates, stand time and application rates.
• Field records; crop ratoons and harvest dates
2. Selection of participants A total of 63 smallholder growers were selected
throughout the industry Cooperating Extension Officers were identified
PROGRESS TO DATE (cont’d)3. Project Equipment
Rain gauges, Peg Boards, Record Keeping Material and cell phones purchased and distributed to participants
4. IT system and Software Computer hardware for office purchased Canesched program installed SMS software installed
5. Training First training conducted in November 2011 where all
participating growers attended.
CHALLENGES1. Departure of Initial Project Leader
He left at a time when the project just started
Replacement appointed and project running smoothly
2. Difficulty in getting SMS software A vendor was identified and system
synchronised with cell phone service SSA scouting for alternative vendors in
case problems emerge later on
MAJOR RISKS AND MITIGATIONRISK MITIGATIONPolitical climate Remains stable
Weather conditions Remain conducive
Market for sugar Market guaranteed
Market Prices Remain attractive
Project Equipment Availability
All equipment available and installed
Regulatory Framework Remain conducive
2012 FORECASTED SITUATION1. Send out daily irrigation messages2. Supply of daily ET values3. Conduct at least two grower training sessions
(May and September)4. Continue to send the daily ET values to growers5. Continue project monitoring (Throughout year)6. Project evaluation will start in May for the early
cuts and end in December for the late cuts 7. Compile annual report for 2012 (December)8. Conduct support farm visits
Thank You!