Insight Focus
- Typhoon Mulan eases the drought.
- Rice being prioritised over sugarcane for irrigation in Laibin.
- Sugarcane on the farm is doing well despite weather, high fertiliser prices.
Another Drought Hits Sugarcane at Elongation Stage
Just after we got over the heavy rain in late May, we were hit by drought in July.
China has been in the grip of a heat wave since mid-July. The temperatures were high, rainfall was low and there was too much sunshine in most sugarcane areas. The weather had an adverse effect on the growth and development of sugarcane at the stem-elongation stage.
Fortunately, this year’s seventh typhoon, Mulan, brought rain in August, coupled with the meteorological department’s artificial rainfall operations, the drought in the sugarcane fields eased.
Our Key Missions: Irrigation and Maintenance
The drought brought other issues. In Laibin city in northern Guangxi Province, rice and sugar cane compete for water. The local water conservancy bureau has tightened the management of water resources. Priority was given to irrigating rice fields, and it is forbidden to pump water to irrigate sugarcane without permission.
Luckily, we are in the south of Guangxi, where we pump water from the Nanjiang River to irrigate our cane without limitation, although the water has to travel a little further.
Sugar Cane in Good Shape
We have faced many difficulties this year, including heavy rain, drought, and high fertilizer prices, but seeing the sugarcane growing well shows that all our efforts have paid off.
Other Insights that may be of interest…
Farmer Diaries (Thailand): Sugarcane Growth Seen Below
Maximum Farmer Diaries (UK): Sugar Beet And Maize Struggle For Water
Guatemalan Palm Oil but Not Sugar Likely Hit by Heavy June Rain
China’s Agricultural Output to Drop on Substandard Fertiliser Use?
