%0 Journal Article
%T ECONOMIC CHALLENGES OF SUGAR CANE PRODUCTION IN THE LOWVELD OF ZIMBABWE
%A Clainos Chidoko
%A Ledwin Chimwai
%J International Journal of Economics and Research
%D 2011
%I Sanben Agency
%X The study sought to investigate the economic factors affecting the productivity of small scale sugar-cane farmers in the Lowveld of Zimbabwe with particular reference to Chipiwa farmers in Mkwasine area in Chiredzi District. The main objective of the study was to bring to light the economic challenges that contribute towards the low productivity by small scale sugar cane farmers so that the relevant stakeholders can assist to rectify the situation. The research sampled 100 farmers. The descriptive survey method was used to identify and explain the economic challenges faced by sugar cane farmers. The research showed that while sugar cane industry is a critical sector to the economy, its productivity is going down. It was discovered that the low productivity is largely due to failure to plough out old cane, lack of equipment for operations, low prices paid for the harvested cane, high transport and haulage charges, limited training and unavailability of inputs. This is largely due to limited access to cheap finance and credit. The research recommends that farmers be given cheap finance and easily access credit using their crop as collateral security
%K Sugar Cane
%K Sugar Cane Productivity
%K Sugar Production
%K Economic Challenges
%U http://ijeronline.com/documents/volumes/Vol%202%20issue%205/ijer20110205SO(1).pdf