Barend Marx and Eksteen Lindeque from MBB recently participated in Netafim’s Sugarcane Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The conference attendees represented several African countries, namely: South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Benin, Senegal and Zimbabwe amongst others.
Eleven lectures covering different facets of sugarcane growing were given on the first day of the seminar, which proved to be fascinating. Several of Netafim’s clients as well as industry specialists from Netafim and other outside partners made these presentations.
Some of the topics covered in presentations were:
- Considerations when selecting an Irrigation Scheme (Done by MBB)
- Crop Mechanisation
- Irrigation Scheduling
- Automation and Digital Farming Technologies
- Sugarcane Seedling Production
- Bulk Water Supply
- Future Drip Trends
- Project Management
- Drip Irrigation experiences in Senegal and Tanzania
These sessions provided valuable insights into sugar cane cultivation under irrigation.
On the second day, the attendees had the opportunity to visit Bagamoyo Sugar Limited, just north of Dar es Salaam. The 2,200-hectare estate is located some 15-24m above sea level with some challenging soil conditions. Despite this and using drip irrigation, the Estate has achieved outstanding results in its startup years, boasting over 170tch of sugarcane.
A recurring theme throughout the conference was the critical importance of the people managing an irrigation project, or sugarcane development for its success. Effective management and full commitment from everyone involved, from managers to laborers, is essential. While having a well-designed irrigation system and top-notch equipment is important, true success relies on individuals with the right mindset to drive the project forward.
