The impact of improved technologies on the productivity of Mauritian sugar cane growers
| MSI05P4127 | |
| Ramjutun, D. Travailleur, C. Pillay Samoo, K. Gooljar, A. Gauthier, J. Payandi Pillay, K | |
| The impact of improved technologies on the productivity of Mauritian sugar cane growers | |
| periodical article | |
| 2005 | |
| Proc. int. Soc. Sug. Cane Technol. | |
| 25 (2): 160-167 | |
| En | |
| En Fr Sp | |
| The changes operating in the global economic environment are threatening the competitiveness of the Mauritian sugar industry. With a view to maintaining long-term viability and sustainability, it is imperative for sugar cane growers to revisit their farming operations to attain the twin objectives of reducing production costs and improving sugar yield per unit area. A major component of the Research and Development Programme of the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute (MSIRI) has been geared towards the development of improved cultural practices and labour-saving techniques. These practices and techniques have been promoted through various extension activities, such as field visits, on-farm trials and demonstrations, and group meetings. The impact of the adoption of these practices on productivity, more precisely on production costs and optimum use of resources, was assessed among a few sugar cane growers operating in different ecological environments. Results showed in particular a reduction in labour utilization, which could be mainly attributed to adoption of labour-saving techniques, such as partially mechanized planting (PMP). This technique led to a reduction of approximately 40 per cent in plantation costs on one estate. Improvement in crop productivity was also noted and could be largely explained by the development of an appropriate variety strategy and the adoption of a rational harvesting programme. One estate achieved an annual increase of 2.5 tonnes/ha in terms of cane yield through the adoption of better performing varieties like R 575, M 1176/77 and M 1400/86 coupled with more efficient irrigation systems, the centre pivot and drag line. A change in management practices and the implementation of a rigorous monitoring procedure, mainly at field level, were observed. The study indicated the need to replicate such investigations among other growers to establish appropriate benchmarks for the industry. Results could also assist extension officers in their endeavour to promote new technologies among their target clientèle. | |
| Sugarcane Sugar cane growers research technology agricultural extension productivity technology transfer | |
| Mauritius | |
| Sugarcane: Farming systems research | |
| Extension | |
| 2005-02-17 | |
| en | |
| LIB | |
| CAT | |
| Extn |