1. KAGERA SUGAR LIMITED (KSL)
FIELD DEPARTMENT
A SIX MONTHS TRAINING PROGRAMME
REPORT
Name of trainee: MANGU, Benjamin.
Title: Section manager.
Section: Herbicide Section.
Supervisor: Mr. Moruo S Laizer
Training Manager: Mr. Urio
Duration: 15TH
September, 2008 to
15TH
March, 2009.

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1.0 INTRODUCTION
Kagera sugar limited is among the sugar producing companies in Tanzania. It is
found in kagera region in Missenyi district. The company is made of many
departments where among them is the field department.
As the heart of the company, the field department at kagera sugar limited
performs all sugar cane agronomic activities as sugar is made in the field but
extracted in the factory. In short, the department ensures the production of high
quality raw materials needed by the company for sugar production. The assistant
agricultural manager who is assisted by area manager, agricultural technical
manager and irrigation manager head the department.
To make up things easy, the estate is divided into seven sections supported by
other service sections, which are diversification, survey, irrigation, harvesting,
seed cane cutting and planting, land preparation and cultivation as well as
herbicide and fertilizer sections.
In the field department, as the trainee attached in the herbicide section I
participates and supervise different operations on controlling weeds in the estate
using herbicides as one of the techniques used in ‘Integrated Pest Management
(IPM)’, red ants( ant hills) and spraying cane ripener. From 15th
September 2008
to 15th
March 27, 2009, I have worked in different operations which equipped me
with skills and experiences, such operations are as follows;
2.0 CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL OPERATIONS
2.1 ROUNDUP APPLICATION
This is the operation which involves killing of all vegetations it comes into
contact with. The herbicide which we use is Volsate 360SL (Glyphosate 360g/l
ative ingredient). It is the non-selective systemic herbicide that kills annual and
perennial weeds regardless they are broad or narrow leave weeds. The dose we
use ranges from 5 to 8 litres per hectare (mixed with water making a herbicide
mixture of 240L per hectare) depending to the age, type and number of different
species of weeds in the field. We normally apply it prior to planting or after
planting the cane but before it has emerged so as to kill all types of weeds without
causing any harm to the cane planted. It is the best herbicide to control stubborn
weeds such as Cyperus sp (Sedges/nutgrass), Amaranthus sp, Panicum maximum,
Imperata cylindrical, Sorghum helepense, Cynodon dactylon, Commelina
benghalensis e.t.c which are mostly found in Kagera A fields E and F areas as
well as B, C, G, H and I fields. Furthermore, we use this herbicide to clean up
roads in the fields such as those found in DIT fields. In this operation, I succeeded
very much as most of the area which needed roundup application were attended in
time which includes kagera A fields, I fields, BP2 and the surrounding rainfed
fields, CP2 and its rainfed fields. Due to this participation, I have gained much
skills and experiences in this operation.

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2.2 EARLY POST AT SPIKE STAGE (PLANT CANE)
In this operation, we control weeds when the plant cane (PC) is at spike stage.
Three herbicides are used in mixture which is Ametra 500SC (active ingredients
being 250g/l Ametryn (triazine) + 250 g/l Atrazine), Volcano Paraquat 200SL
(active ingredient being 200g/l paraquat dichloride 20%LC) and Volacet 900EC
(900g/l of Acetochlor). In the mixture, the herbicides are mixed with water at the
following proportion 4L/Ha, 0.5/1/1.5 L/Ha and 3L/Ha respectively. 240L litres
of these herbicides mixture/dilution are applied per hectare. In this mixture,
Paraquat 200SL kills the emerged weeds as it is a contact herbicide. The weeds it
kills includes narrow and broad leave weeds especially annual weeds as most of
the matured perennial weeds do not die. Its application rate varies from 0.5, 1, and
1.5L/Ha depending to the age, number and species of weeds in the field going to
be applied. The fewer and the younger the weeds, the less the volume of paraquat
is used per hectare and vice versa. Ametra 500SC kills the actively growing
annual weeds (broad and narrow leaf weeds). Volacet 900EC mix with the soil
solution hence is absorbed by germinating weed seeds which consequently kill the
seeds of the narrow leaf weeds/grasses in the seed germinating zone. Because of
Volacet 900EC moisture requirements, the combination of these herbicides should
be applied in the field with enough moisture so as to allow the herbicide to mix
with the soil solution for effective functioning. Furthermore, its reaction is
determined by the clay content of the soil. Examples of the fields under which we
have applied this type of combination include DIT, IO31 and I31. Due to the
frequent involvement in this type of operation, I have gained much skills and
experiences.
2.3 EARLY POST HARVEST (PRE EMERGENT) IN RATOON.
This is the operation which is done to the properly harvested cane field where by
post harvest hand weeding, trash lining and sometimes burning of the lined
trushes must be properly done before this operation. The herbicides combination
that we have been using in this operation depends on moisture contents of the
fields. These herbicides include Volazinone (240g/l of Hexazinone, a triazine) at
1.5 L/Ha, Volcano Paraquat (200g/l Paraquat Dichloride 20% LC) at 0.5/1/1.5
L/Ha, Volchlormuron 500WP (500g/Kg chlormuron ethyl (sulfonyl urea)) at
0.25Kg/Ha, Volacet 900EC (900g/l of Acetochlor) at 3L/Ha and Ametra 500SC
(250g/l Ametryn, a triazine + 250g/l Atrazine) at 4L/Ha.
In areas we are sure of availability of enough moisture i.e. in the pivot centers, the
herbicides combination that we use are Volazinone at 1.5 L/Ha, Volcano Paraquat
at 0.5/1.0/1.5 L/Ha depending to the population, specie and stage of growth of the
weeds, Volchlormuron at 0.25 Kg/Ha and Volacet at 3 L/Ha. This is because
Volazinone which kills mostly broad leaf weeds at actively growing stage needs
large amount of moisture for its proper functioning. Volcano paraquat with the
help of Volchlormuron kills all types of annual weeds which have already
emerged and efficiently at a very young stage as efficiency of killing the weeds
reduces with age. Volacet with acetochlor is the pre emergent herbicide that
mixes with soil solution mostly kills the seeds of narrow leaf weeds in the seed

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germinating zone. Some of the areas that we have used this type of combination
are BP7, AP5, and AP8.
Due to the moisture deficiency in the rain fed fields which is caused by a small
number of irrigation mobile pumps and unreliable rainfall, we use Ametra to
replace Volazinone and Volchlormuron as it require a small amount of moisture
compared to Volazinone. So, the right combination of herbicides we use in rain
fed fields is Volcano Paraquat, Volacet and Ametra at 0.5/1.0/1.5 L/Ha, 3L/Ha
and 4L/Ha respectively. Some of the fields which we have applied this type of
herbicide combination includes G701, G702, G703, G704, G705, G708, G713, I4,
I11 and I12
In short, this is a very important operation as it controls the weeds at a very young
stage ensuring a good future of the cane. Frankly, I have known and gained much
skill concerning this operation.
2.4 EXTREME PLUS (IN RATOON AND AT SPIKE STAGE)
Controlling weeds using chemicals depends on many factors as mentioned earlier
where by among them is the type of weeds. In areas which are already planted
(plant cane and ratoon) but highly infested by Cyperus sp (as dominant weeds), at
early post chemical weed control operation, we do not use the normal herbicide
combination on weed control operation instead the following herbicide
combination is used specifically to control the established Cyperus sp and other
physically available weeds in the field. This combination includes Volmsma
(720g/l of MSMA) at 6L/Ha, Volchlormuron (500g/Kg chlormuron ethyl
(sulfonyl urea)) at 0.25 Kg/Ha, Volacet 900EC (900g/l of Acetochlor) at 3L/Ha,
Volcano Paraquat (200g/l Paraquat Dichloride 20% LC) at 1.0 or 1.5 L/Ha and
Volbuzine (480g/l of Metribuzin, a triazine) at 1.6L/Ha.
In this combination, Volbuzine and Volchlormuron are mixed intentionally to kill
the established Cyperus sp, Volcano paraquat; volchlormuron and Volmsma are
specially mixed to kill the emerged broad and narrow annual weeds and some of
the young and actively growing perennial weeds. Volacet is mixed so as to kill the
seeds of the narrow leaf weed in the seed germinating zone. Its frequent use in
different herbicide operation results in the reduction of the seed bank hence
creating a weed free zone.
Some of the fields under which extreme plus was applied includes DP10 and part
of BP7 with its surrounding rain fed fields which there after shown a very positive
response/success.
Also, I have learnt and gained skills on using extreme plus to control the cane
fields which are highly infested by Cyperus sp and other types of weeds.
2.5 PRE CANOPY
In this operation, we chemically control the weeds prior the cane forms canopy.
Before applying this herbicide, we ensure the fields have got enough moisture
accompanied with proper/spot weeding. The herbicide combination used in this
operation includes Voliuron 800SC (800g/l of Diuron) at 1L/Ha, Volcano

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Paraquat at 0.5/1.0/1.5 L/Ha depending to the status of weeds in the field and
Volcano 90 (Alkylated phenol-ethylene oxide 945g/l) at 0.2L/Ha which are all
diluted to 240L/Ha. Volcano paraquat is responsible for killing the emerged broad
and narrow annual weeds and some of the young perennial weeds while Voliuron
mix with the soil solution to the seeds of narrow weeds in the seeds germinating
zone. Volcano 90 is an adjuvant which improves the wetting and spreading
properties of Voliuron and Volcano paraquat.
Due to several participation of this herbicide operation, I have also gained skills
and experience on it.
2.6 ANT- HILLS CONTROL
In this operation, the ant-hills are controlled using insecticides called Dursban 4E
(480g/l Chlorpyrifos) at 100mls in 20L of solution (1 knapsack sprayer) which is
used to spray 3 to 5 ant-hills depending to their size. It is done when the ant-hill is
dug and spread without forgetting removal of the queen of the ants. Then the
spraying person sprays in and around the dug ant-hill.
This operation has been done successful in I areas at I11 and I12 fields as there is
no ant-hill redevelopment and the operation is still proceeding as it was earlier
hindered by the supply of the insecticide, Durban 4E.
3.0 CHEMICAL RIPENING APPLICATION
As part of my training programme, I have participated thrice on ripener
application. This operation is done by aerial method whereby herbicide which we
normally use is Fusilade forte 150EC (Fluazifop-p-butyl 150g/l) at 0.4L/Ha which
is diluted to make a mixture of 25L used in application of 1 hactare. When there is
wind, mist control (Polyvinyl polymer 20g/l) is also combined in this dilution at a
rate of 125 cm3
/Ha (25 cm3
in 25L herbicide mixture) which acts as a drift
retardant).
The dosage is beyond the recommended rate (0.2L/Ha) because the variety under
commercial production, CO617 is resistant to the recommended one. Examples of
the areas in which we did chemical ripening on 8th
and 9th
of January, 2009 are
AP7, AP9, AP10, AP12 and AP13, the area which amounts to 339 Ha. On 3rd
and
4th
of February 2009, the area which was chemically ripened is BP3, DP2, F15,
F19, F20, F11 C and D, F21, F7 C and D, F16 and E22. In this area, the operation
was done with success as the aim was reached.
As other chemical operations, I have also gained skills and experiences on
ripening operation.
4.0 FERTILIZER APPLICATION
For proper growth, sugar cane requires the availability of nutrient elements in the
soil. Because soil has a self lose nutrients through different ways which some are
crop removals, leaching, run-off and erosion we normally add the required
amounts so as to make the soil productive.

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Always, the fertilizers are applied in moist soils so as to ensure they dissolve and
releases the required elements in the soil ready for plant uptake.
Here, two types of fertilizer are applied in stages of cane growth;
DAP
This is planting fertilizer. It is applied in the planting furrow of the well
prepared seed bed before the canes are planted. It is the good source of
nitrogen which is the integral part of chlorophyll molecule hence without it
no photosynthesis, involved in the synthesis of plant proteins, promotes
vegetative growth as well as facilitating uptake of the plant nutrients such
as P, K and Ca. its deficiency leads stunted growth and chlorosis which
appear first on the lower leaves. This fertilizer also provides P which
encourages lateral and fibrous root growth and development, increase
number of tillers, give strength to straw and prevent lodging. Deficiency of
P causes reduced tillering and hence fully canopy is delayed and weed
infestation is magnified.
We apply this fertilizer at the rate of 150 Kg/Ha. Example of the fields we
applied are I16, I17, I22, I23, BP2 and all field which were ploughed and
planted PC.
UREA
This is the second type of fertilizer which is especially for growing cane. It
is best taken by plants when applied before the cane is over 90 days old
since germination or sprouting. It is also the source of N.
Depending to the nature of the soil native N, we apply UREA at the rate of
150 to 250 kg of urea per Hectare. The areas which we applied this type of
fertilizer is all which were recently harvested found in G and H areas.
4.0 COST AND BENEFIT ANALYSIS
In any commercial organization, profit creation and maximization is the main aim.
In all operation activities at kagera sugar limited, the cost incurred in herbicide
weed control operation compared to hand weeding is shown as follows.
4.1 CHEMICAL RIPENER APPLICATION BENEFIT AND COST
ANALYSIS
As most of the sugar estates, Kagera Sugar ltd use chemical for ripening the
canes. Fusillade forte150EC (Fluazifop-p-butyl 150g/l) is the chemical used for
this purpose in this estate.
The total cost of chemical ripener application (ground support for aircraft,
chemicals and aircraft operations) averages 41,108.40 Tsh /ha. The percentage of
1.5% toll is increased due to chemical ripener which in bulky is the large amount
of sugar. Furthermore, the maturity and hence harvest takes place earlier leaving
the field ready for growing another ratoon or for ploughing.

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4.2 WEED CONTROL BENEFIT AND COST ANALYSIS
At kagera sugar ltd, control of weeds is done through hand weeding and chemical
control the system which falls at the technique of weed control known as
“integrated pest management”. The cost for controlling weeds using these two
different ways differ as detailed below.
4.2.1 HAND WEEDING BENEFIT AND COST ANALYSIS
By this type of weeding, the average cost incurred per hectare differs depending to
the status of weeds in the field. Taking the average of 3 mandays per line of planted
cane, this will use 72 mandays/ha making a total of 180,000 Tsh/Ha.
Assuming that all weed control operations (which weeding should atleast be done
four times, the company will require 288 mandays/ha who will be paid a total of
720,000 Tsh/Ha. As that is not enough, purely using hand weeding will require
more human resources to weed one hectare under cane which is very expensive as
they will require more accommodation, feed, supplying other services such as
health and clean water as well as employing more middle and lower level managers,
supervisors, foremen and headmen to lead these people.
Furthermore, unlike chemical weed control method, hand weeding alone is not
efficient as it control only emerged weeds leaving the underground parts of the
perennial weeds such as rhizomes and tubers/nuts and the part of the seed bank
found in the seed germinating zone unaffected. Chemical weed control using pre
emergent herbicide such as Voliuron and Volacet kills the seeds found in the soil
hence reduces the seed bank.
4.2.2 CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL BENEFIT AND COST
ANALYSIS
Through chemical weed control method, only 1 manday/Ha/day currently paid
2800 Tsh/day control weeds by applying herbicides. This is of less expense as
only two or three mandays are required to control (for PC three times i.e roundup
cost about 86,512.72 TSH/Ha, Spike stage which cost 55,984 TSH/Ha and Pre
canopy which currently cost 17,091.46 TSH/Ha while for ratoon only two times
i.e early post which cost 52,983.83 TSH/Ha and pre canopy herbicide operation
which cost 17,091 TSH/Ha are needed). When the area is much affected with
Cyperus sp, the extreme plus herbicide applied to rescue the field costs
105,524.39 TSH/Ha something if it would be by manual weeding purse, the
operation would fail by 100% due to high cost and land degradation as it will
include digging for the nuts.
Chemical weed control creates much profit as it is done with very low cost, timely,
only small number of casuals can control a large area hence small cost for
accommodating them. Because weed produces large number of seeds, example
Striga sp (400,000 seeds/plant), Amaranthas spinosus (200,000seeds/plant) and

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Cyperus esculentus (2,420 seeds/plant), chemical weed control is the only way
which eradicates weeds by slowly reduction of the soil seed bank.
5.0 SETBACKS OBSERVED
With fertilizer and herbicide application at kagera sugar limited, I have observed
the following problems which hinder the proper provision of these services to the
seven field sections;
Poor land preparation. Here, a short time is used to complete all operations
needed in proper land preparation that is ploughing, harrowing and seed bed
preparation is done within short time. This has been observed as the
company was struggling to expand the field within a minimum time. Poor
harrowing leaving large clods/clumps shield germinated weeds and some
seeds of the weeds which later do not die with any applied herbicide. There
is also poor leveling. This is a major problem even in fields found in pivot
centers as when associated with clay soil, there is water logging problems
created depression which arise the problems of establishment moist loving
weeds such as Cyperus sp, Digitaria scalarum e.t.c. This is the problem
with CP5, BP3, BP6, BP4, DP8 and some parts of rain fed fields such as
F197. So, it is difficulty to apply herbicides in water logged areas and once
water loving weeds emerges, they are not killed with the post emergent
herbicides i.e they are not affected with herbicides used at early post, spike
stage and pre canopy because most of them are only killed by
roundup/volsate. In short, this situation reduces the efficiency of applied
herbicides and leads to the loss as running pivot is very expensive.
Lack of timely transportation of herbicide gang to the fields as there are few
and old trucks which supply transportation services to other working casual
groups to and from the fields, camps and the nearby villages like Kyaka,
Bunazi and Igayaza.
Poor and old tractors used for herbicide tank transportation as sometime fail
to start while are in the field hence can not move to other fields which make
the work more tedious and laborious and laborers should shunt with
knapsack sprayers full of herbicides at their back. This results to the daily
task to be not accomplished as some time people do a less than a half of the
proper task. The frequency of this problem increase with rain season.
Poor attendance of herbicide gang casual laborers. This has been observed
since I came in September last year as the attendance of the people has been
poor due to different reasons. The following might be the reasons;low
quality protective gears such as goggles, musk, gum boot and overalls,
nature of employment that is they are casual laborers paid daily hence
difficult to control their daily attendance, small amount of money they are
paid daily. Due to these reasons, they tend to shy away from the work as
they say it’s dangerous to their health.
Inefficient system of the herbicide gang as the field is now very large to
have only a single and small herbicide gang. In short, the same gang can not

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be in different fields at the same time some thing which gives a loop hole
for establishment of weeds in unattended fields.
There is poor hand weeding in the fields for some field sections, for
example section one. This leads to poor herbicidal activity once herbicides
are applied in such poorly hand weeded fields. Furthermore, it is
Delay of very important herbicides like volbuzin which is very important
for killing dangerous weeds such as Cyperus sp in extreme plus
combination.
There is no frequent soil analysis in each field which will determine the
amount of the very important elements i.e N, P and K. This could tell on the
proper Urea and D.A.P application rates depending to the nature of the soil
in fields as the fertilizer uptake is highly affected by the chemical properties
of the soil.
6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS.
To rescue with the above narrated setbacks, the following must be done
immediately in order to make the good future and not only basing on today
forgetting tomorrow;
Land preparation should be done properly. Under suitable condition, a
proper timing of the cultivation practice reduces sharply the weed
population. It is done by waiting a few days after each operation so that
weed seeds germinate. The sequence can be as follows; ploughing (7-10
days waiting), harrowing (7-10 days waiting) and then seed bed
preparation. This reduces much the portion of the soil seed bank found in
the seed germinating zone.
Further, the seed bed should be properly done making the field flat with
leveling to avoid water logging condition which causes establishment of the
water loving weeds much yield reduction.
Especially in pivot centered fields, this should be done as it is very
expensive to run pivot irrigating weeds.
To avoid laborers transportation delay, some of the tracks should be under
agriculture department to avoid bureaucracy and if necessary to buy other
new ones so as to meet problem of labor transport to and from the field.
The company should buy other new tractors for herbicide application
activities as the old one such as WO16 cost very much the company in term
of mandays (paid without completing the tasks), weeds establishment as the
herbicide application delays especially during rain season and in term of
time.
The attendance of herbicide gang can be improved through giving them
contract of three or six months with improved salary (e.g.
90,000Tsh/month). This will make them attend to work daily and will be
profitable for the company because laborers will properly use the provided
protective gears as now the control is difficult because they stop working at
anytime they feel and some time leave with the protective gears.

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Because now days the estate is very large, the company should atleast have
two herbicide gangs, one operating in A, G, H and I areas while the second
should be in B, C, D, E, F and Kagera A areas.
Hand weeding in the field section should timely and properly be done
before herbicide application as herbicide application in bushy and matured
weeds fields’ wastes the company’s money as the cost of herbicides applied
is not even paid back while the expectation is creation of profit.
The requested herbicide should arrive earlier so as to control the weeds
timely.
The company should make a soil analysis in each field so as to determine
the economic amount supposed to be applied in each field.
7.0 CONCLUSION/REMARKS
Now days, the fertilizer and herbicides are very expensive, they should be used
economically as the fields should first be properly cleaned before spraying to
avoid spraying in the bushy fields. This waste herbicides and further make
laborers shy away as it is very difficult to spray in such condition with poor
protective gears! To avoid the delay of herbicide application in the already
cleaned fields, the company should give contracts to the herbicide gang casuals
and implementing quickly the availability of two gangs with atleast 60 people
each, which will be operating in different sides i.e A, G, H, and I areas with one
herbicide gang while the second in B, C, D, E, F, DIT, Members areas and Kagera
A fields.
Otherwise, working with these gangs (fertilizer and herbicide) has much
structured and moulded me for the case of working experience and skills,
professionally and managerially.