The effects of global warming towards sugar cane farming in Tongaat Huletts –Tambankulu Estates, Swaziland.

Abstract

This study examined the effects of global warming on sugar cane farming in Tongaat Huletts –Tambankulu Estates in Swaziland, from the period of 2010 to 2015. The researcher adopted the conceptual and theoretical framework related to Global Warming and sugarcane production. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were utilised to capture the effects of global warming on cane production. In particular, the Ricardian production model and thematic analysis were adopted in the study. The study utilised monthly and yearly time series data for the period of 2010 to 2015, collected from Tongaat Huletts Tambankulu Estates, Swaziland. The findings disclose significant non-linear effects of global warming on sugarcane production in Tongaat Huletts Tambankulu Estates, Swaziland. Observations were that sugarcane production has directly been affected by changes in global warming conditions. Global warming variables such as radiation, temperature and rainfall have negatively affected sugarcane production. The findings showed that for every additional degree in the celsius of temperature, the expected sugarcane production decreases on average, while holding other variables constant. Moreover, for every additional millimetre of rainfall, the expected sugarcane production decreases, and for every additional degree of radiation increase, the expected sugarcane production decreases. In contrast, the findings revealed that the combination of water use of commercially rain-fed and irrigated sugarcane and increases sun appear, have positive effects on sugarcane production. For every millimetre in combination of water use of commercially rain-fed and irrigated sugarcane, the expected sugarcane production increases. Similar for every additional sun hours, the expected sugarcane production increases. The findings also revealed that management ought to enhance and improve their knowledge and awareness of global warming and its impact on sugarcane production for better, all including holistic approach to mitigate this threat, especially during critical peak season. The study suggests that strategies adopted to mitigate the threat focus on farming practices that promote sugarcane production regardless of the dangers posed by higher levels of global warming variables (temperature, rainfall, and radiation).