Systems Design & Optimisation Projects

Water use

Irrigation system efficiency (Standards and guidelines for improved efficiency of irrigation water use from dam wall release to root zone application).

Increasing water use efficiency and yield of irrigated sugarcane by means of good agronomic practices.

Harvest, post harvest, supply chain management

De-trashing: Optimal method and timing.

Mapping land suitability for mechanized harvesting in cane growing areas, South Africa.

Cost effectiveness of direct transport systems

Information systems

The agronomy of sugarcane production for energy.

Application of remote sensing to assess sugarcane growth and factors of stress.

Development and implementation of an industry-wide satellite based sugarcane monitoring system

Technology Transfer

Demonstration of various irrigation scheduling methods/ tools.

Best management practices for small-scale sugarcane growers in the Amatikulu catchment (Zululand) including alternative crops.

Adoption of best management practices in accordance with agronomic and economic Benchmarks in collaboration with monitor farms and fellow growers.

Elaborating a methodology for diagnosis of conditions and factors limiting adoption of improved technologies by small-scale sugar cane farmers and for the development of decision-making support tools for these stakeholders.

Developing an Interactive Webpage for Variety recommendations.

Development and implementation of an internet-based sugarcane discussion forum.

MyCanesim/ SMS irrigation advice for Mpumalanga.

The development and testing of an integrated set of models to evaluate the financial/economic impact of curtailment decisions on three participant farm case study areas in the Crocodile Catchment.