SugarcaneGrow, Sustainable Sugarcane Growing Project

What is SugarcaneGrow?

SugarcaneGrow is a package of complementary development interventions to enhance the farming systems in about 21,000 land-reformed sugarcane farms throughout the country.

It is a Project implemented by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in collaboration with key partners such as the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), civil society organizations (CSOs), participating ARB sugarcane farmers and their organizations, concerned local government units (LGUs) and private sector companies involved in various aspects of the sugar industry value chain.

Why SugarcaneGrow?

Potential benefits from sugarcane production are not just limited to the production of conventional sugar but have expanded to other sugarcane-based products such as muscovado and bioethanol.

The overall objective of SugarcaneGrow is to improve the productivity and quality of life of sugarcane ARB-farmers.

SugarcaneGrow Objectives

• Organize/strengthen farmers’ organizations and cooperatives for greater economic clout;
• Increase  sugarcane  production  by  30%  through improved sugarcane technology and introduction of production credit;
• Introduce muscovado sugar production and processing as an alternative strategy of increasing sugarcane productivity;
• Contribute to the national program of alternative fuel production by involving ARCs in bio-fuel (ethanol) production; an
• Increase access to livelihood opportunities to meet ARB households’ short-term cash and food needs.

Sub-Projects of SugarcaneGrow

• Sustainable Upgrading of ARBs” Production (SugarBP) – assists conventional sugarcane farmers enhance their sugarcane production systems through improved production technologies. These farmers supply canes to sugar mills.
• Muscovado Sugar Production and Processing (MUSCOSugar) – promotes the production and processing of muscovado sugar, especially in marginalized areas, as an alternative to the conventional raw sugar produced in existing sugar mills.
• Sugarcane Production for Bio-energy (SugarcaneBio-E) – assists sugarcane farmers supply raw materials as feedstock to bioethanol plants.

It is in line with the provisions of the National Bio-Fuels Law (RA 9367). SugarcaneBio-E is initially targeting ethanol plants in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental and in Kibawe, Bukidnon.

SugarcaneGrow Areas

SugarcaneGrow initially covers Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Bukidnon. Areas for expansion include Panay Island, Cebu, Leyte, North Cotabato, Batangas, Pampanga, Tarlac, Cagayan and Camarines Sur.
SugarcaneGrow Project Activities

a.  ARB/’Stakeholder Consultations
A series of participatory consultation sessions and focused group dialogues with stakeholders are held to orient them about the Project. It is also a venue to solicit i their commitment in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation

b.  Organizing for Clout
Farmers are organized to give them greater economic clout when dealing with people in the industry, particularly those with the sugar mills, the planters’ association, muscovado mill owners, bio-energy plant owners, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), and other industry players.

c. Training on Sugarcane Production

The SRA provides Technology training for ARBs in the Project areas. Other technology providers such as the Alter Trade Foundation, Incorporated (ATFI), for organic muscovado production, will also be tapped to provide appropriate training for sugarcane production where needed.

The Project wilt seek the assistance of LBP and other financing institutions in providing credit to sugarcane farmers for their farm production requirements.

SugarcaneGrow will encourage private sector investments in muscovado processing plant operation and in other aspects of the value chain, following the guidelines of the DAR Agribusiness Venture Arrangement (AVA) schemes.

d. Market Linkaging

The Project will assist ARB organizations find suitable market partners for sugarcane products, especially muscovado sugar. One possible buyer is the ATMC in Negros Occidental to augment its supply for the world market.

e. Technical Assistance for Compliance to GMP, ISO and HACCP Rules

The Project will assist ARC muscovado millers deal directly with buyers and become globally competitive by making their manufacturing processes conform to international quality standards based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and International Standards Organization (ISO) regulations.

f.  Facilitation of Contract-Growing Agreements

Forging contract-growing agreements with private sector partners is one critical aspect of the ARB organizations’ work. The Project will assist them in their negotiations for a ^win-wirl9 contract-growing arrangement with the private sector.

The Project will also collaborate with CSOs and local micro-finance institutions (MFIs) for the provision of micro-financing assistance and training to Project beneficiaries.

For more information and further questions, contact:

DAR-AREDP
4/F FAPsO Building, DAR Compound
Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City
Phone: (02) 426-7484/86
Telefax: (02) 426-7489
Email: aredp_technicai@yahoo.com