Ubombo Sugar Limited’s Agriculture function provides support to a number of independent growers, classified into Small Scale Growers (SSG), Medium Scale Growers (MSG) and Large Scale Growers (LSG). The objective is to improve cane yields and ensure sustainability through providing a technology transfer and advisory service to sugarcane growers on all aspects of sugarcane production.
This includes the transfer of research findings approved by Eswatini Sugar Association to the grower, to facilitate the quick adoption of improved agricultural practices. It is through this support that growers also receive training in corporate governance and business skills to aid them in making workable business decisions. Ubombo Sugar’s grower support extends to 134 growers, of which 111 are Small Scale Growers, 10 are Medium Scale Growers and 13 are Large Scale Growers; with each contributing 28.8%, 2.1%, and 22.9% of cane respectively, towards Ubombo Sugar’s total cane supply.
The support provided to growers includes farm visits by Grower Support Officers (GSO) whereby growers’ concerns and problems are highlighted and remedied through the implementation of recommended solutions. Grower Support Officers’ support also comes in the form of the development of a database of individual field performance records for growers in their extension area, wherein group performance is monitored relative to actual performance trends.
Growers also receive support through the facilitation of seminars and trainings where various aspects of sugarcane production are covered. Assistance is also provided to growers who lack capacity in procuring equipment, agric inputs and finance with support of service providers. Other forms of support include assistance with effective irrigation systems and applications for quotas, whether new or increased quota.
Some initiatives and projects established by Ubombo Sugar to support growers include the Input procurement facility: growers purchase inputs through Ubombo’s input procurement process; Revolving fund: managed by Ubombo Sugar mainly used for replanting but may extend to cover initiatives decided upon by trustees and the USSF (Ubombo Swaziland Sugar Facility) fund; a fund developed by the European Union to develop new cane areas in the communities and assist in the establishment of schools closer to the communities.
The partnership with growers has created jobs and improved the livelihoods of hundreds of families within the region.
The St Phillips project was developed as part of the Lower Usuthu Small Holder Development Project Phase 1 (LUSIP I), which involved an investment of E1.2 billion in factory expansion by Ubombo. The Eswatini government invested E1.53 billion in constructing the 155 million cubic meters Lubovane Dam and canal infrastructure using international donor funding. Due to its prominent contribution to poverty alleviation in the LUSIP I project area; the St Phillips project was allocated water from the LUSIP water system as a means to support the St Philips Roman Catholic mission’s poverty alleviation initiatives in the LUSIP area.
Ubombo Sugar leased 450 hectares of land from the Catholic Church for sugar cane farming, with the lease fee paid to the St Philips Mission and used to fund poverty alleviation projects supported by the Catholic Church. These include 2 schools, a clinic, mobile clinic service and a rural ambulance service. The project has given way to the creation of employment opportunities to 95% of the residents of the surrounding community; and the mission is now linked to the LUSIP canal, ensuring reliable and clean water supply to the schools, clinic and other residents.
We are the custodian of 9361 hectares of prime bushveld. At a very rough estimate, there will be anywhere between 5 million and 15 million mature trees on that land. Each of those trees recycles nutrients, helps prevent soil erosion, provides nutrients and habitat to countless millions of creatures, faithfully absorbing and storing carbon whilst pumping out beautiful oxygen. A valuable resource indeed!
-Graham Baier
Prior to the introduction of cropping, Ubombo was an extensive cattle ranch. A remnant of 9 361 hectares of the ranch land now remains as natural bush.
In 1986 a portion of 300 hectares adjoining the Van Eck Dam was set aside to be a wildlife sanctuary and named Mhlosinga Nature Reserve. The aim of Mhlosinga was to preserve a piece of the magnificent Swaziland bushveld and restore it, so far as possible, to its unspoilt state. The portion was game fenced and patrolled and various species on non-dangerous game were re-introduced into Mhlosinga.
Mhlosinga was so successful and popular that over the years additional areas were added to the reserve. Today the reserve stands at 1 850 hectares in extent and now completely surrounds the strategically important Van Eck Dam. The environment has stabilised with an increasinghealthy and diverse population of wild animals.
Over the past few years we have carried out aerial counts. The chart below shows the population of the wild animals found in the reserve (taking into account death, birth , poaching and controlled harvesting).
To the visitor Mhlosinga offers self guided game viewing, birding, hiking, mountain biking and photographic opportunities. Van Eck Dam is a popular spot for camping, picnicking, fishing and boating. The three Ubombo supported schools make regular use of the area for environmental, education and sporting events.
The conservancy bird count stands at 331 species and includes numerous ‘Near Threatened’, ‘Vulnerable’ and ‘Critically Endangered’ species. We have a very healthy population of White-backed Vultures which nest annually in the riverine forests of the Mtindzekwa River on Bar R Ranch. A small selection of other birds of interest include Tawny Eagle, Martial Eagle, Bateleur, Lappet and Cape Vulture, Secretary Bird, Black Bellied Bustard, Lanner and Peregrine Falcons, Yellow-billed stork, Marabou and Wooley-necked Storks, African Open bill, PinkTwinspot, African Finfoot; and there are many others. Our tree species list stands at 87.
The Ramsar Convention is the oldest global environmental agreement. It promotes the wise use and conservation of water and wetland resources. In 2016 Van Eck Dam and surrounds within the Mhlosinga Nature Reserve was added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance (Site Number 2122). When Van Eck Dam is low its shores become an attraction to waterfowl and water birds. Globally threatened species cited by Ramsar which may be seen in Mhlosinga are martial eagle, African white-backed vulture, African fish eagle, African goshawk, Nile crocodile, South African rock python and hippopotamus.
Only two other sites in Eswatini (Sand River and Hawane Dam) have been designated Ramsar Sites.
Ubombo’s total ranch area, together with Mhlosinga Nature Reserve, forms part of the larger Big Bend – Mhlosinga Conservancy. The conservancy comprises four adjoining companies each of which own dedicated wildlife- or cattle-grazing areas. The aim of the conservancy is “to foster cooperation and collaboration between adjoining landowners with the purpose of optimising wildlife development and economic utilisation.” An important premise is that the greater the area under protection and the greater the freedom of movement between farms the healthier, more diverse and sustainable will be the wildlife population.
The members of the conservancy are:
Ubombo Sugar
United Plantations
Crookes Brothers
Machitema Farm
Total
Ubombo plays a leading role in the affairs of the conservancy.
A current initiative of the conservancy is to encourage members to game fence those of their farm boundaries that form the external boundary of the conservancy. This is considered a vital component in the effort to protect against the illegal occupation, poaching of game, illegal cattle grazing, woodcutting, and burning.
Situated in the southeast of Eswatini, comprising one agricultural estate, factory, and refinery.Employs 2 300 permanent and non-permanent people.From sugar cane also delivered by our independent growers, produces raw and refined sugar; direct consumption sugars marketed by Eswatini Sugar Association.Internal electricity generation from renewable resources
Electricity exports