Sugarcane industry braces for harvesting season
DESPITE recording a modest expansion in hectarage from 79 722 in the 2022/23 season to 79 728 in the 2023/24 term, the sugar industry is upbeat it will produce enough to meet national requirements.
According to the Crops, Livestock, and Fisheries Assessment Report (Pre-harvest) CLAFA-1 for 2023/24, the number of hectares planted in 2022/23 remained consistent at 79 722 with no changes observed compared to the current hectarage count of 79 728 for 2023/24.
Farmers have already begun preparing for the upcoming harvesting season, which is scheduled to begin this this month.
Zimbabwe Sugarcane Association (ZSA) Mr Willard Zireva said there would be adequate sugar supplies for both household and industrial consumption despite the El Nino-induced drought that the country is currently experiencing, which has affected expected yields for other crops.
He added: “The industry has more than adequate stocks for the local market’s domestic and industrial needs. With the next sugarcane milling season expected to resume mid-April, the millers are currently undertaking regular off-crop maintenance of the sugar mills in readiness for the new season crop whose harvesting is scheduled to start mid-next month.”
He further emphasised that due to the good rainfall received in the last agricultural season, the major dams that supply water for sugarcane irrigation in the Lowveld have sufficient water to last at least the next two seasons.
Zimbabwe has over the past few years been producing an average of 400 000 tonnes of sugar a year against an annual consumption of 300 000 tonnes to leave a surplus of 100 000 tonnes that is exported.
Hippo Valley and Triangle have an installed milling capacity of 630 000 tonnes annually meaning the country could ramp up sugar cane output for the mills to operate at their optimum.
As a matter of fact, the sugarcane industry is expecting better fortunes this season after recording low infestation levels of the yellow sugarcane aphid (YSA) pest, thanks to timely interventions by growers to suppress it.
Zimbabwe Sugar Association Experiment Station (ZSAES) senior entomologist Ms Concilia Mukanga said the level of infestation this year was low, as farmers were closely monitoring their fields and implementing timely interventions to minimise damage to sugarcane.
“YSA have a devastating effect on young cane plants while harm is minimal on older plants. Our organisation carries assessments, tests chemicals and recommends the applicable ones,” said Ms Mukanga.
Ms Mukanga further explained that in the 2019/20 season, losses were estimated at 7, 2 percent, followed by 5, 1 percent in 2021/22 and 8, 2 percent in 2022/23 whereas this year losses are relatively low.
Controlling YSA infestations in the early stages is essential before populations become difficult to manage.
“Crop stress caused by factors such as water scarcity, nutrient deficiencies, salinity and weed pressure can make sugarcane more susceptible to YSA attacks. Managing fields to minimise stress is therefore vital in reducing vulnerability to infestations,” said Ms Mukanga.
Source Link : https://www.herald.co.zw/sugarcane-industry-braces-for-harvesting-season/
