Sugarcane farming in KwaZulu: Two communities investigated

Abstract

The social and economic impact of sugarcane farming in two rural communities in KwaZulu is described. Attention is focused on the cash benefits which accrue to those smallholders cultivating the crop. It was found that only a small percentage of smallholders could expect a monthly income equivalent to the household subsistence level. The majority of smallholders will continue to depend upon migrant remittances to meet their subsistence requirements as they will only obtain a supplementary income from sugarcane. The result of this is continued dependence on the sugarcane mill for financial assistance and the de facto loss of control by the smallholder over the utilization of his land. It is recommended that where the smallholder possesses less than three to four hectares of arable land, he should be encouraged to cultivate traditional food crops on a scientific basis rather than sugarcane.

Notes

Revised version of a paper presented to the Carnegie Conference, Cape Town, April 1984.

Socio‐economist with the National Building and Investment Corporation, Windhoek