In Mhlume you will find a small population, mostly working in the sugar cane fields in the area. In Mhlume is the Mhlumi
Sugar Company (The Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation) which can be reached at +268 31 31211.
the company was the subject of a case study
by an American academic in 1996. The UK based Commonwealth Development Corporation plays a role in managing the mill
for the Swaziland government. Western involvement made a big push in the region to educate Mhlume growers and workers
so that they can become more economically self-sufficient.
Mhlume Sugar Company (MSCo) is situated at an altitude is 260 meters above sea level with an
average of 700 mm rainfall per year. The area under cane is 9,188 hectares providing up to 853,000 tons
of cane per year. The sugar cane is harvested annually between May and November.
Irrigation methods are key for MSCo, because rainfall in the area is insufficient to yield a profitable crop.
Methods used to irrigate are sprinkler, flood/furrow and drip. The different irrigation methods offer
varied challenges to the effective use of in-field loading and transport equipment. Costs associated
with mechanical harvesting are measured by the material damage that is experienced during the harvesting process.