Factors impacting sugarcane production by small-scale farmers in KwaZulu-Natal Province-South Africa

Sugarcane is an important crop on a global scale, due to its numerous dietary and commercial applications. Smallholder sugarcane production is an important sector in developing countries, especially South Africa as it enhances livelihoods and job creation. Hence, this study is carried out to understand the challenges and factors which are contributing to the decline of smallholder sugarcane production. Therefore, the paper aims to investigate challenges and factors affecting sugarcane production by smallholder farmers in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The study employed a quantitative research design and data was collected through the use of secondary data. Descriptive statistics and a production function analysis were used for analysis. Results show that labour costs, drought stress, lack of finance, and high transaction costs are the major limiting constraints in sugarcane production. Empirical results reveal that variable input costs affect the sugarcane production of smallholder farmers. The study recommends the use of fertilizer and mechanical maintenance by smallholder farmers to enhance sugarcane productivity.