Four Indian enterprises use sugarcane waste to create useful products

The question of whether sugarcane is an outdated industry or a powerful energy source is being examined in the context of a potential transition to bioethanol. Ricky Govender from Illovo Sugar SA explains how clear biofuel policy and a 3.5% ethanol blending mandate can transform surplus sugar into clean fuel and attract billions in rural investment.

For many South Africans, the sugar industry is increasingly viewed through the lens of difficulties: company restructuring, pressure on producers, declining profits, and future uncertainty. While these concerns are understandable, they do not reflect the whole picture.

Globally, sugarcane is being used more actively as raw material for biofuel production, renewable energy, sustainable aviation fuel, and a wide range of bioproducts that support the shift to a low-carbon economy. There is an opportunity, if South Africa demonstrates vision and urgency, to shift the sector from dependence on traditional sugar markets to a diversified bioeconomy that simultaneously supports agriculture, production, energy security, and rural development.

Today, the industry faces an imbalance. South Africa produces about 1.9 million tonnes of sugar annually, while the domestic market absorbs approximately 1.5 million tonnes. The remaining volume goes to export markets, where prices are often below the cost of production. This weakens the entire value chain economy and puts pressure on producers, processors, and rural communities dependent on cane.

The stakes are high here. The South African sugar industry provides about 65,000 direct jobs, another 270,000 indirect jobs, and nearly a million livelihoods. Most of this economic activity is concentrated in rural areas where alternative sources of employment and investment are limited. If the industry shrinks, the consequences will be felt far beyond balance sheets and factory gates.

Three main scenarios lie ahead: the first is uncontrolled decline, characterized by weakening industry protection, constant reliance on low-yield exports, closure of processing plants, producer exits, and job losses. The second is a regulated, managed reduction of production to meet domestic sugar demand, which could improve the financial stability of remaining participants but would entail deep social and economic costs. The third, and most compelling, is diversification for growth.

Diversification would completely change the situation. Instead of viewing surplus sugar as a problem for low-yield exports, South Africa could transform this surplus into a strategic domestic energy product. In such a future, the sugar mill would cease to be just a sugar factory; it would become an agro-industrial hub attracting investment and creating much-needed jobs.

The most immediate opportunity is sugarcane-based bioethanol. At current production levels, surplus sugar can already support a 3.5% ethanol blend in South Africa's gasoline pool. This is not a distant or speculative possibility. The raw materials, processing infrastructure, and agricultural base exist, and the foundations of biofuel blending policy are already established.

The benefits of a phased bioethanol program are enormous for the country and extend far beyond the sugar sector itself. Sugarcane diversification would stimulate new investments in the rural economy, creating jobs and opportunities. Producers would benefit from increased demand for sugarcane, and communities from greater economic activity. Furthermore, it would help reduce South Africa's costly fuel imports and support greener modes of transport. As South Africa seeks practical ways to meet its climate commitments, biofuels can play a vital role in reducing transport emissions while supporting a just transition that leaves no rural community behind.

Few interventions can advance agricultural sustainability, energy security, industrialization, and the welfare of rural residents through a single value chain. A positive future is easy to envision: producers gain a more stable market for cane, mills invest in more efficient and diversified production platforms, and rural communities see new jobs, new infrastructure, and new confidence. South Africa imports less fuel and produces more of its own renewable energy. Over time, the country will build a bioeconomy around the crop it already grows commercially.

So why hasn't this happened yet? We have the potential, the technical knowledge, and the infrastructure base. What is needed now is policy certainty. The biggest obstacle is uncertainty. Building ethanol plants, storage facilities, and blending infrastructure requires long-term investments amounting to billions of rand. Businesses will only commit these funds if the government provides clear regulations on ethanol pricing, sets a firm blending mandate, and assures investors that the policy will remain in place. Without these guarantees, investments will remain frozen.

The government can unlock this opportunity with three practical steps. It must introduce an initial 3.5% ethanol blending mandate, establish clear pricing laws and fiscal incentives to support investment, and create a dedicated task force within the ministries of energy, agriculture, trade, finance, environment, and rural development. This transition can happen in phases. A 3.5% blend is a practical starting point: it would utilize a significant portion of surplus sugar, allow South Africa to test supply and blending systems, and give investors confidence in building new capacity. Once pricing and distribution rules are agreed upon, initial projects could be implemented in about 30 months. The blending percentage can then gradually increase to 15%, opening the market for ethanol produced from other crops and creating new opportunities for agricultural growth.

South Africa does not have to choose between maintaining the sugar industry in its current form and watching it decline. There is a better choice: repositioning sugarcane as a strategic national asset capable of supporting the next generation of agro-industrial growth. This is not a dying industry. It is an industry awaiting a political signal that will allow it to reinvent itself. With regulatory certainty, strategic investment, and collaborative leadership, sugarcane can help secure a safer, more inclusive, and sustainable economy for South Africa. Decline is not inevitable. The future can still be grown.

Sugar and cane sugar are items of daily use in the kitchen, but they can become damp or sticky with the slightest exposure to moisture. Furthermore, due to the sweetness of these products, ants and small insects often invade containers. If you encounter this problem of ants and dampness, you do not need to spend money on expensive chemical agents or medicines.

With some simple and natural ingredients available in the kitchen, it is possible to keep sugar and cane sugar in perfect and fresh condition. Below are presented effective and simple methods.

You can place 4-5 cloves in the jar with sugar. The strong aroma of cloves repels ants and insects, and also prevents moisture from getting into the sugar.

If too many ants appear in the sugar, you can place several dried neem leaves, wrapped in clean cloth, inside the glass jar. This ensures that ants will not come close.

Placing 2-3 anise leaves in the container with sugar helps absorb moisture and protects against insect infestation.

If the sugar starts to become damp during the rainy season or high humidity, you should make a small pouch from cotton fabric, fill it with uncooked rice, and place it in the jar with sugar. Rice absorbs excess moisture, keeping the sugar granular.

Cane sugar should not be stored open or directly in plastic film. Before placing it in an airtight container, it should be wrapped in clean cotton fabric so that it does not sweat and become sticky.

Adding one teaspoon of fennel or cumin to the jar of cane sugar extends its shelf life and prevents ants from appearing.

In case of very high humidity, it is recommended to store cane sugar in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will prevent it from melting or attracting ants.

You can also place a small packet with a small amount of salt in the corner of the jar of cane sugar; this helps control moisture.

In homes, various plants such as tulsi, cilantro, and mint are grown. Among them is the curry plant. If you have a curry plant growing in a pot, it is very useful—from making marinades for curry to using it in poha and upma. This allows you not to buy leaves from the store every time; you just need to cut fresh leaves from the pot and add them to the dish.

However, sometimes problems arise: the plant remains small for months, new leaves do not appear, and branches develop weakly. In such cases, people start buying expensive fertilizers. But this is not necessary. If your curry bush grows slowly and has few leaves, it can be revived with simple methods. Did you know that you can feed the plant using useless things left over from cooking? Let's find out how to enrich your curry bush with green leaves using compost from these waste products.

If your potted curry bush grows slowly or has few leaves, you should first pay attention to the soil and its care. The plant needs soil where water does not stagnate, and the roots have access to air. Furthermore, a regular supply of nutrients is crucial.

Nowadays, liquid fertilizers made from household items are also used for gardening. To feed the curry bush, you can prepare a liquid fertilizer from banana peels.

People often throw away banana peels after eating bananas, but this peel can be useful for your curry plant. Banana peels contain potassium and many other nutrients that are excellent for the curry bush. If your curry bush grows slowly, you can use the fertilizer made from banana peels in limited quantities.

To prepare this fertilizer, first take 2-3 banana peels and chop them into small pieces. Then place these pieces in a container and soak them in water for 2-3 days. After that, strain the water thoroughly. This solution should be watered around the soil at the base of the plant. It is important to ensure that water does not accumulate in the pot.

You can also completely dry the banana peels and grind them into a powder, then mix a small amount with the soil. You should avoid putting a large amount of peel directly into the pot, as its rotting can cause an unpleasant odor and attract insects.

It is recommended to use this fertilizer twice a week. However, the correct amount of homemade fertilizer depends on its composition and consistency. Therefore, it is not necessary to apply it twice a week without complete information. The fertilizer must be used by observing the condition of the plant.

For the curry bush to become lush and green, you cannot rely only on fertilizers. It should be placed in a well-lit area. Water only when the soil begins to dry out. Stagnant water in the pot can damage the roots and stop plant growth.

When the plant gets big, pruning the top or light trimming can help new branches appear. Also, if the pot is too small or the roots do not have room to grow, it should be transplanted into a larger pot.

Note: There is no guarantee that any homemade fertilizer will lead to instant changes in the plant. The growth of the curry bush depends on the season, sun, soil, water, and nutrition. With proper care and patience, your bush will gradually become healthy and lush.