ABSTRACT
Structurally, there are two main stages of production within the sugar cane industry. The primary stage covers all the activities and processes of production from the preparation of the land, planting, and tending the sugar cane plants right up to and including harvesting of the cane and its transportation to the mills or factories for processing into sugar. The secondary stage of the industry encompasses the production of sugar, whether raw or refined, and the manufacture of its by-products. The relationship and degree of integration between the two stages of production vary from country to country, but in general, the primary stage is highly labour-intensive. Although several developing countries refine their own raw sugar, the traditional division of labour and specialization of function between the developing and developed countries, still largely holds.
