Service Contract No 2007 / 147-446 - Swaziland

Already calculated: Xg = 4.7 mmThus: hours x Xg every 6 daysThus: 37.4 mm 6 daysGross mm per day = 6.2 mm/dayThus: Net mm per day = 4.7 mm/dayBased on this observation the irrigation pattern adopted by Maphobeni does not meet the6.5mm/day recommended sugarcane irrigation requirements. This FA is therefore, underirrigatingThe same irrigation pattern implemented in phase one is used in phase two and again theresults reflect that sugarcane irrigation requirements are not meet.Given:8 hours every 6 daysThus: 8 Standing time (hours)6 Cycle length (days)Already calculated: Xg = 3.94 mmThus: hours x Xg every 6 daysThus: 31.5 mm 6 daysGross mm per day = 5.3 mm/dayThus: Net mm per day = 3.9 mm/dayIf the irrigation cycle is reduced to 4 days or the standing time increased to 24 hour netapplication rate would increase to at least 6.5mm/day.Training of farm manager and his assistantsSwaziland Sugar Association and Ubombo Sugar provide technical assistance to this FA butbased on the current condition of the irrigation system, more is still to be done. More focushas to be put into training this FA on operation and maintenance of the irrigation system andensure that equipment is replaced with correct ones and by qualified technicians. Farmers donot have the required expertise on irrigation matters and end up making expensive mistakes.This FA is not in the position to rectify mistakes hence they live with the results of onineffective operation and management regimes currently implemented. This capacity buildingexercise will go a long way into improving efficiency in this irrigation project.Maphobeni Farmers Association Report - 2009 Page - 50 -