On Wednesday, September 18th, we visited Agriterra’s sugarcane fields, a leader in Agriterra Sugar Production and special sugar production in Mauritius, with a production capacity of 80,000 tons in 2024. Our journey into precision farming began with a ride in a 4×4, uncovering the secrets behind the production of Mauritian special sugars. First, we met with Jean-Marc Jauffrey, Agricultural Manager at Agriterra, who shared insights on the innovative technologies revolutionizing sugarcane farming.
Precision farming at the heart of innovation
On our way to Mont Rocher, Jean-Marc explained that precision farming is a modern management approach. It uses digital techniques to control and optimize farming processes for higher yields.
In the fields, we witnessed a mechanical choreography. Articulated tractors prepared the soil with surgical precision. A GPS-equipped field track system traced straight lines, guiding the machines in their tasks. Meanwhile, a rock crusher shattered stones, and a bed former smoothed the land.
Automated planting for higher efficiency
The planting of the sugarcane cuttings, mechanically sliced by a modified harvester, is fully automated. An articulated tractor loaded the planter with cuttings, which it then placed evenly in the soil. Jean-Marc demonstrated how each step is optimized for maximum yield while preserving soil quality. “These operations are guided by GPS, ensuring straight lines that make maintenance and harvesting easier,” he explained.
Drones transforming farming
Two types of agricultural drones are used. “After planting, small drones conduct image surveys using GPS coordinates,” he said. This technology quickly identifies uncovered areas or vines threatening the sugarcane, allowing for rapid herbicide treatment.
Larger drones handle precision fertilization, using data collected in the fields. “This ensures uniform fertilization for good yields, while avoiding waste,” he added. For irrigation, Agriterra uses various systems: pivots, drip, targeted irrigation, and hose reels.
From harvest to factory
In another field, we observed the mechanized sugarcane harvest. The harvester machine automates cutting, removes leaves and unwanted parts, and loads the cane into trucks bound for the Belle-Vue Mauricia factory in Mapou.
Agriterra cultivates sugarcane on 5,200 hectares spread across several regions: La Nouvelle Industrie, La Nicolière, Valeton, L’Espérance, Belle-Vue, Mount, and up to Balaclava. “From the fields, we supply 2,300 to 2,600 tons of cane daily to the factory,” said Jean-Marc. Annually? “We harvest an average of 320,000 tons, depending on the weather.”
He explained that different cane varieties are planted as cuttings at 12 tons per hectare, covering 400 to 500 hectares yearly. These varieties enable harvesting during both major and minor seasons. The sugarcane lifecycle typically lasts 7 to 8 years, depending on the variety. For special sugar production, the cane is harvested at full maturity—11 to 12 months. “For new plantations, we use virgin canes that mature after 14 to 16 months,” he noted.
Challenges and mechanization in the sugar industry
When asked about the main challenges, Jean-Marc cited water shortages during droughts, heavy rains disrupting operations, and uncontrolled field fires.
Why mechanize? “Since 2000, mechanization has become essential due to the aging workforce. In the past, men and women worked under the scorching sun, planting and harvesting manually. Mechanization marked a new era in the sugar industry,” Jean-Marc explained.
Agriterra continues to accelerate its investments in digitalization, modernizing equipment, and adopting more environmentally friendly practices while maintaining operational efficiency. “The company invests heavily in precision farming, including drones, GPS-equipped machines, and satellite imagery to optimize operations, resource use, and inputs,” he concluded.
