The importance of support services to sugarcane production in Guadeloupe (FWI)

The use of contracting services is widespread and increasing in mainland Guadeloupe sugar cane production. A special study was therefore within the framework of a programme for modelling sugar cane supply. Surveys were carried out in the fields harvested and with the farmers themselves. The supply of contract services is variable. The contractors are the agricultural machinery cooperatives, private firms or individuals. They mainly carry out harvesting operations and are given daily quotas to guarantee an optimal cane supply to the factory. The transport of cane from the field is made by individuals, often farmers themselves. Big differences in operating methods, size and equipment exist within the machinery cooperatives. More than 13% of the participants in the Land Reform also work as contractors, which greatly affects the running of their farms. Planters' practices differ greatly according to the region. Harvesting is usually sub-contracted. For pre-harvest operations, the choice depends on the availability of the farmer, the physical environment, the quality of the cane and the local supply of services. Usually, the harvesting contractor also does the soil tillage. Finally the consequences of the functional and socio-economic importance of contracting services for modelling and the development of the industry are discussed.