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

irrigation infrastructure is important to maintain distribution and application efficienciesbut is costly.Key Aspect 3. Loss of biodiversity due to land-take for sugar cane expansion- Many of the lands where sugar cane cultivation is taking place were previouslynatural bush; in a specific case land was exchanged from the Hlane National Park toaccommodate an RSSC expansion need.- Natural vegetation keeps being removed for sugar cane expansion associated withthe LUSIP and KDDP schemes thus disrupting natural ecosystem functions andservices.- Pressure is increasing on areas of high biological diversity for conversion toagriculture, and to irrigated sugar in particular. Long term environmental benefits andservices are being forfeited most likely for short term economic benefits. Increasedavailability of water for expansion purposes will increase the threat to areas of highbiological diversity.- Although EIAs are carried out for specific irrigated cane developments, no systematicassessment of cumulative impacts has taken place. The environmental implicationsof this are aggravated by the absence of effective protection of biodiversity (e.g.network of protected areas with representation of native, threatened and endangeredspecies).Key Aspect 4. Risk of HIV/AIDS associated with the sugar cane industry, particularly inrelation to smallholder irrigation schemes- Swaziland has reportedly high incidences of HIV/AIDS prevalence and infection.- With any new development there is an increase in the risk of HIV/AIDS, with the inmigrationof outsiders into the area to seek or take-up work opportunities.- HIV/AIDS is having an impact on productivity in the sugar industry, with trainedpersonnel having to leave their jobs, and workers taking time off sick or unable toperform some of the more active tasks associated with the work (e.g. cane cutting).There is also a decrease in the number of potential labourers, for sugar cane growingcompanies (e.g. Ubombo Sugar and Royal Swazi Sugar Corporation - RSSC) and forthe smallholder schemes.Medium Priority AspectsKey Aspect 5. Emission of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) from sugar cane burningand socio-economic implications of green cane harvesting- Swaziland has ratified the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants(POPs). It is currently in the process of preparing its National Implementation Plan(NIP) for the Stockholm Convention.- One of the sources of unintended generation of POPs is the open air burning ofbiomass, including sugar cane burning. Cane burning is the second main source ofemission of POPs in Swaziland, with 7.9% of total emissions (the main source isopen air burning of domestic rubbish).- The NIP will include measures to address a reduction in cane burning.- Burnt cane harvesting (BCH) has some advantages for the farmers, related mainly tospeed of manual cane cutting and intensity of labour. BCH may also havedisadvantages beyond the emission of POPs, including those related to the quality ofthe cane (due to dextrose formation and the need to bring the cane to the mill quickerRDMU (Strategic Environmental Assessment of the National Adaptation Strategy) - Page 4