Our Products
Sugar Cane
Sugar cane is a perennial crop, which requires loads of radiation, water etc and which grows back after each harvest. At Tambankulu, the fields are normally ploughed out and replanted between 8 - 12 years. Planting of sugar cane is done twice a year; in autumn (February to April) and during spring (mid-July to end of September) when temperatures are suitable. The mature cane is harvested manually and delivered to two mills: Mhlume and Simunye Sugar mills. Further, the Estate currently has a service agreement with Eswatini Sugar Association which entails planting, growing, harvesting, and supplying stakeholders with seed cane. In pursuing the enlisted production excellence, the estate adheres to high levels of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality standards, and recently moving towards adoption of the Bonsucro standard.
Banana
In pursuing its vision and consideration to enhance cashflows, the estate ventured into banana growing, albeit on a minute scale. That is, our suitability test-crop was planted in December 2021. A total of 6 varieties, were planted on about 0,5ha. These were William, Chico, Asdia, Grand Nain, Nandi, and Apollo. The crop is under the microjet irrigation system, and all our proof-of-concept produce is currently prepared in a mobile packhouse, in readiness for sale to local customers.
Beans
As part of its soil health management, the estate grows beans as a rotational crop (that is, in between sugarcane crops, between April and September of each season). The bean crop naturally improves soil nitrogen levels as well as biomass conditions. The variety planted, grown, and harvested is the Red Speckled type, which is also known as Sugar beans. The final produce is packed in packs of 2 - 50kg bags and sold to local customers and as part of the community services, some donated to surrounding community care points.