Small-scale sugarcane farmers in KwaZulu-Natal Province are moving towards a greener, more resilient future after a two-day workshop convened by the United Nations in South Africa with technical leadership by the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and supported by the Joint SDG Fund.
Under the banner “Transitioning Small-Scale Sugarcane Farmers to a Low-Carbon Pathway,” farmers, government representatives, academics, innovators, and development partners gathered to shape inclusive and equitable strategies for decarbonizing the sugarcane sector using regenerative practices, clean energy, and climate-smart technologies.
Understanding Challenges and Opportunities
UNIDO’s Mchenge Nyoka emphasized that smallholder farmers cannot be left behind, while Ricardo Gottschalk of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in South Africa noted that rural communities must share the benefits of value addition, clean energy and innovation.
The South African Farmers Development Association (SAFDA) highlighted the sector’s decline, with small-scale growers reduced by half, from 50,000 to 25,000, over two decades due to high costs, unequal markets, and structural barriers.
Experts outlined solutions. Dr. Musa Msimango (Phambili Energy) described how regenerative farming can restore soil health and create green finance opportunities. UN Women’s Ayanda Mvimbi called for gender-responsive approaches, citing barriers faced by women farmers and underscoring that their empowerment is central to Africa’s prosperity. Contributions from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and inQube showcased ongoing technical support and digital innovations to decarbonize value chains.
Participants also visited the Jozini Farmer Production Support Unit, where farmers raised concerns about high energy and water costs, residual waste, and the urgent need for affordable green energy. SAFDA leaders insisted on rebranding from “small-scale” to “smart farmers” empowered by technology and innovation.
Technological innovation was another focus. University experts presented advances in precision farming and sugarcane biorefineries, while FourthWave Chief Executive Officer Tumi Frazier showcased Artificial Intelligence-driven Cleantech solutions that improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
Co-Creating Solutions
Turning policy into practical action. Stellenbosch University’s Professor Emile Görgens outlined decentralized sugarcane conversion into biofuels, electricity, and sweeteners. Dr. Msimango showed that processing 60 tonnes of cane per day could yield 500KW of renewable electricity, 80,000 litres of bio-oil, and 350,000 litres of ethanol monthly—directly addressing farmer concerns over high input costs.
Farmer representatives stressed equity and recognition, demanding fair funding and inclusion as commercial players, not perpetual “smallholders.” Development partners reaffirmed commitment, with IFAD and FAO pledging continued technical and financial support.
Roadmap for the Future
The policy and practice workshop concluded with a co-created roadmap to:
- Advance regenerative farming to improve soil health and carbon sequestration.
- Integrate clean energy and climate-smart technology into the sugarcane value chain.
- Strengthen farmers, cooperatives, and institutions for resilience.
- Explore green finance, carbon credits, and ESG compliance to attract investment.
- Build multi-stakeholder partnerships to scale inclusive solutions.
Aligned with the South African Sugarcane Industry Master Plan, the roadmap seeks to reposition sugarcane as a diversified, globally competitive, and sustainable value chain.
A key tangible outcome was agreement on a pilot decentralized processing project to reduce emissions while producing electricity, bio-oil, and ethanol. This initiative holds strong replication potential across KwaZulu-Natal and beyond.
Stakeholders intend to build on the renewed determination that small-scale sugarcane farmers, long constrained by structural inequalities, can now emerge as leaders in climate-smart agriculture. With innovation, partnerships, and strong institutional support, their future looks not only sweeter but greener.