Experts in developing sugarcane farming systems that improve productivity and yields facilitate in workshop organised by RDMU and SSA.

Stakeholders in the smallholder sugarcane growing (SSG) sector convened on 16 November 2009 at the Tums George Hotel, Manzini where they discussed progress reports compiled by task team leaders. The meeting also looked at reviving the task teams that were formed in 2006 which were to explore ways and means of sustainability for the smallholder sugarcane growing sector which is and has been engulfed with challenges.

....Not only does the sugar sector make a major contribution to the economy but it also makes a major direct and indirect contribution to the provision of health care, education, housing, public utilities and social services in sugar producing areas.

The worst is yet to come

Against these hardships being felt by the industry, and in particular smallholder farmers, the EU reforming its internal sugar market, and the EU sugar regime is being reformed. This will see the price paid for Swazi sugar fall gradually to a massive 36% cut by 2009.  The cut translates to a loss of a staggering €30 million (about 240 million Emalangeni) per annum in income.  This is 4 times more than Swaziland receives in aid each year from the European Union!