Assessing impact of climate change and extreme weather events on the sustainability of sugarcane production

The aim of this study was to examine the trends of temperature and rainfall changes and the associated effects in the production of sugarcane in developing countries. This study was conducted in Tanzania and the information gathered included the state of climate change and variability for the past 30 years and other associated climate factors affecting the sugarcane industry. Climate data (rainfall and temperature) of the past 30 years (1988–2018) was obtained from Kilombero Sugar Company Ltd and Mahenge weather stations. A cross-sectional one-point-in-time approach was used in obtaining other relevant information from the respondents in the study area. Ordinary workers, including casual and permanent, contractors, out-growers, and company officials were interviewed. A representative sample for the study consisted of 144 respondents (equivalent to 63% of the target population) and 30 key informants. Results indicated that temperatures increased from 15 to 35.4 0C and rainfall decreased from 2074.6 to 406.4 mm for the period from 1988 to 2018. Information gathered using questionnaires indicated that the most pronounced climate factors other than temperature and rainfall were the extreme weather events (51.8%), drought (54.9%), and floods (3.5%). It was concluded that climate factors are the important drivers in the sustainability of the global sugarcane industry and their change and variability are accelerated by a number of factors. Based on the findings of this study, more studies are to be conducted that accommodate the relationship between climate factors (temperature, rainfall) and sugarcane yields over the past 30 years and monitor any further changes in these parameters.