A survey of small-scale sugarcane farmers in South Africa and Mauritius: introducing project methodology, investigating new technology and presenting the data
| MSI09P4442 | |
| Eweg, M. J. Payandi Pillay, G Travailleur, C. | |
| A survey of small-scale sugarcane farmers in South Africa and Mauritius: introducing project methodology, investigating new technology and presenting the data | |
| periodical | |
| 2009 | |
| Proc. S. Afr. Sug. Technol. Ass. | |
| 82: 370-383 | |
| En | |
| En | |
| This paper outlines the procedure followed, technology used and preliminary results derived from an extensive and comprehensive survey of small-scale sugarcane farmers conducted in Mauritius and South Africa. Mauritius and South Africa were concerned about the yield gap between small and large-scale farmers as well as their international non competitiveness within the diminishing preferential markets and rapidly increasing costs of production. A further concern was the apparent lack of adoption of improved technology and practices recommended by the research institutes. This paper reports on some of the preliminary findings of the survey carried out in South Africa. Methodology and appropriate innovative technology was identified to undertake such a complex task capturing data relating to social information, agronomic practices, skills and knowledge. Data was collected, captured and made available for further analysis. More than 900 farmers in South Africa (SA) and 800 in Mauritius (MU) were surveyed using the 'logitech smart pen' technology. Gaps in knowledge and skills as well as possible areas for further research needs for small-scale farmers were identified. This project has produced extensive data on an important industry client group that will better inform decision-makers on points which were previously largely assumed. It has also firmly asserted the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) and the Mauritian Sugar Industry Research Institute (MSIRI) as leaders in this largely unexplored and novel area of extension empathy. This project was made possible through a European Union (EU) competitive grant fund to conduct agricultural research that would benefit the small-scale farmers of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. | |
| surveys small-scale research sugarcane extension technology use technology transfer small planters | |
| Mauritius South Africa | |
| Sugarcane: Farming Systems Research | |
| Extension | |
| 2009-12-09 | |
| EN | |
| EXTN |