Small farmers lead greener future

Sugar growers in KZN joined experts and policymakers to chart a low-carbon way forward

- Sheree Beega

For KwaZulu-Natal sugarcane farmer Mazwi Simelane, farming is more than work — it’s a calling.

“God gives us the land and when you plant a seed in the ground, you must have faith and pray for it to grow,” he said.

“That’s what I enjoy most watching how something small can become a blessing through hard work, interventions and God’s grace.”

Simelane, who farms with Makhathini Sugarcane, was among the small-scale growers and experts who recently gathered in Jozini for a two-day workshop convened by the UN in South Africa, with technical leadership from the UN Industrial Development Organisation (Unido) and Joint SDG Fund support.

There, the South African Farmers Development Association noted that the number of small-scale sugarcane growers had halved over the past two decades from 50000 to 25000, amid high costs, unequal markets and structural barriers.

The workshop concluded with a co-created road map to advance regenerative farming, integrate clean energy and climate-smart technology and explore green finance and carbon credits to attract investment.

Aligned with the South African Sugarcane Industry Master Plan, it aims to reposition sugarcane as a diversified, globally competitive and sustainable industry.