Service Contract No 2007 / 147-446 Strategic ... - Swaziland

Table 15:Synthesis of advantages and disadvantages of BCH and GCHAdvantagesFaster cutting than GCH (1.5x)Burnt Cane Harvesting (BCH)Lower haulage costs (reduced trash content); greaterpayloads in haulage vehiclesFires chase out snakes in fieldsLess extraneous matter (EM) levels than with GCHTrash can be used for mulching: increases waterretention, reduces irrigation water needs, partiallycontributes to climate change adaptation, weedsuppressionGreen Cane Harvesting (GCH)If tops and trash used for co-generation: reduced carbonconsumption, reduced emissions of GHG, energyefficiency, reduced dependency on import of energy,potential increased income for farmersSee disadvantages of BCH, which would be advantagesof GCHEmission of POPsDisadvantagesNuisance from smoke, health effectsIn intense fires, cracks in outer rind allowmicrobe entry, hastening post harvestdeterioration and increasing dextranformationMust be cut in less than 48h, juices diluteand no additional sugar formedIncreased kill-to-mill time (KTM) in orderto allow ash to cool, compared to GCHDifficult to match quantity burned toavailability of cutters and factory capacityVolatilisation of N, S and CFire destroys beneficial micro-organismsand earthworms in surface layerReduced organic matter in soil, soilfriability and porosityReduced capacity of soil to hold nutrientsin root zoneSlower harvesting if manual cutting usedMore expensive haulage costs, lowerpayloads in haulage vehiclesMore EM levels5.6.2 Expected impacts in absence of the NASThe NAS and other industry measures related to cane harvesting methods and expansion ofareas under sugar cane have been studied to a large extent and some are already beingimplemented (expansion of sugar cane farming), whilst others are already following theircourse towards full implementation (changes in cane harvesting methods at the mill estates).Thus it is not relevant to consider a hypothetical scenario “in absence of the NAS”.RDMU (Strategic Environmental Assessment of the National Adaptation Strategy) - Page 89