Soil fertility refers to the ability of soil to provide nutrients to plants which are necessary for their growth and development. A fertile soil is one that contains a balanced supply of all essential plant nutrients as well as micronutrients.
The sugar sub-sector is currently facing a myriad of challenges, key among them being the high cost of production, and declining crop yields among smallholders due to poor crop husbandry and soil management technologies. Sugarcane farmers apply a blanket prescribed inorganic fertilizer regime to soil, regardless of what the actual nutritional requirements are. This has negatively affected the soil quality in the industry and significantly increased the cost of production at the farm level. Acidification of soils, through blanket application of fertilizer has contributed to declining yields and low sugarcane ratoonability, leading to declining enterprise profitability and farmer incomes.
Access by farmers to trusted fertilizer blends,coupled with soil testing services and farmer education are critical in addressing the highlighted challenges. The Sugar Directorate seeks to undertake a project aimed at restoring degraded soils using organic solutions that are not only cheaper, but sustainable, and lighter on the carbon footprint. The concept proposes efficient production and distribution of quality plant nutrition products, supported by effective scientific problem-solving extension systems that, if supported, will revolutionize sugarcane production in the country.
