More than R225m was paid to small-scale growers at the end of January by the SA Sugar Association (Sasa), a move that is part of the body’s transformation interventions and commitment to the Sugar Cane Value Chain Masterplan.
The Sasa transformation funding, of which cane growers contribute 64%, was allocated across two grower support programmes: R115.4m was allocated to intervention one, which provides grant funding for black growers delivering less than 1,800 tonnes of cane; and R50,47 million was allocated to intervention two, which provides grant funding to black growers delivering more than 1,800 tonnes of cane.
The additional R60m agreed to under the Masterplan was apportioned between all qualifying small-scale growers, that is, growers on communal land, and growers on freehold land delivering less that 1,800 tonnes of cane.
“The payments come at a good time for small-scale growers, a number of whom were affected by the unrest in July 2021. Over the past two years, growers have survived not only the widespread cane arson that characterised the July unrest, but also costs incurred to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, the continued implementation of the Health Promotion Levy, declining milling capacity, which means significant quantities of cane being carried over, and an exponential increase in input costs like fertiliser,” SA canegrowers chair Andrew Russell said.
SA Canegrowers is a key stakeholder in the SA Sugar Association that supports the allocation of these funds for small-scale growers in the current financial year. This is an essential intervention to ensure the survival and success of small-scale growers as work continues under the Masterplan to revive the local industry and restructure it for future prosperity, he added.
“We are always mindful of the central role played by small-scale growers in the industry. More than 21,000 small-scale growers derive their livelihoods from the industry, allowing them to contribute to the sustainability of rural economies. As such, it is imperative that these growers are not only supported to remain viable, but also that they are empowered to grow, create jobs, and enrich local farming communities.”
He said his organisation would continue to work with the national government, industry peers, and all value chain stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the Sugar Industry Value Chain Masterplan and the creation of opportunities in the sector to vastly increase the one-million livelihoods supported by the industry.
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