Times Of Swaziland: NEW TECHNOLOGY DRIVES RESCORP YIELDS INCREASE BY 5.96%

NEW TECHNOLOGY DRIVES RESCORP YIELDS INCREASE BY 5.96%
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Nhlanganiso Mkhonta on 08/12/2024 16:08:00


MBABANE – As climate change heightens, farmers and their crops face growing
exposure to unpredictable weather patterns. Global conflicts only add to their
uncertainty and vulnerability, with rising production costs exacerbating
difficulties.
To mitigate the ongoing climate crisis and offset rising production costs, the
Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation (RESCorp) developed technology that can predict
when optimal harvests will occur, boosting yields and profitability. With
agronomic data, real-time growth measurements and upcoming weather forecasts,
the new system allowed RES to pinpoint the optimal harvest day, leading to a
E91.4 million (€4.8 million) increase in yield – or a 5.96 per cent
improvement.
Utilising SAP Intelligent Agriculture on SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP),
alongside satellite data, mapping and detailed crop information, the solution
harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to
enable Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation (RESCorp) to develop customised
interfaces for farmers. SAP intelligent agriculture as an industry cloud
solution is built on SAP Business Technology Platform. It enables agribusinesses
to implement data-driven farming processes and service offerings for farmers
based on a standard platform and incorporate innovative partner extensions.
According to a feature article published on the SAP website, it in turn,
improves farming practices and the decision-making processes. Third-party RES
farmers have also saved around E2.8 million (€150 000) per season because of
enhanced planning, execution and decision-making.
Informed decisions
RESCorp prediction of cane yields enabled informed decisions on capital and
operating expenses impacting E3 275 257 600 (€160 million) in cost per season.
Through the use of SAP Intelligent Agriculture solution, RESCorp has been able
to increase its forecast accuracy by at least 10 per cent. Improved
decision-making around ripening is saving E63 363 202.31 (€ 3.1 million) for
RESCorp and the outgrowers per season. “We are driving sugar growth
efficiencies for RES and our [third-party farmers] with real-time field data
combined with external satellite and agronomic data,” said Coombe.
“With help from SAP, we have developed an innovative service platform which
increases yields, reduces costs and improves sustainability.” This boost in
yields and profitability per farmed area has helped advance sustainable farming
practices in Eswatini. As a result, they have been able to conserve water,
fertiliser and local resources, helping farmers and the broader community. RES
has improved its ability to report against global standards like Bonsucro and
GRI, enhancing its appeal to RES customers who are working toward sustainability
goals.
Additionally, the tool features a mobility model that incorporates digital and
mobile technologies that increase communication and coordination with
third-party farmers, empowering them to work from the field.
Improve lives
“We have developed a model that can be adopted as best practice by Eswatini
farmers to improve lives and make the world run better,” detailed Rob Coombe,
the Group IT Manager. “We are now growing with precision. The SAP Intelligent
Agriculture solution, along with an innovative mindset, has brought visible
benefits to the entire Royal Eswatini Sugar community.”
After the first year of its implementation, their SAP Intelligent Agriculture
solution saw 15 000 transactions from just 25 third-party farmers. One potential
solution arose in cell data that could support farmers in rural areas. This
newfound opportunity ripened the possibility for agronomic models, Global
Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and satellites
that could help farmers improve their harvests.
As a long-term SAP ERP Central Component (ECC) user and a member of the SAP
Early Adopter Care programme, the next steps for RES were clear. Teamed with SAP
and the SAP Advisory Council for Agribusiness, they developed a tool that
assesses water shortages, energy volatility, unforeseen environmental events and
environmental regulations to reduce costs, increase yields and enhance
efficiency. RESCorp was honoured as a winner in the ‘Industry Leader’ and
‘Business Innovator’ categories of the 2024 SAP Innovation Awards in April.
The RESCorp group was honoured with this prestigious award for being able to
implement the SAP intelligent agriculture solution and combine it with satellite
trends, maps and direct crop information.
Manufacturing
RES is the largest sugar cane farming and manufacturing corporation in Eswatini.
With over 3 500 internal and third-party farmers, the organisation produces
two-thirds of the country’s sugar and more than 35 million liters of ethanol
each year. For RESCorp, the repercussions of the looming crises were no
different. Farmers grappled with fluctuating yields and high costs, but their
dependency on spreadsheets and forms was outdated and unable to address their
issues. To overcome these environmental and economic pitfalls, the organisation
recognised the need for technology that supported third-party farmers, helping
them make informed decisions on when and where to plant, as well as manage water
and fertiliser use.