Sugarcane farming in Nigeria | Leadership newspaper
The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has unveiled the Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme (SODP) to boost local sugarcane production.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Kamar Bakrin, executive secretary and chief executive officer of the NSDC, said the initiative is a central component of the Nigeria sugar master plan II (NSMP II).
He explained that the programme seeks to expand local sugarcane production.
“The SODP is designed to boost local sugarcane cultivation, reduce Nigeria’s dependence on sugar imports, and create opportunities for inclusive economic growth by integrating outgrower farmers into the industry’s supply chain,” he said.
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“This programme will complement the output of existing large-scale sugar estates and help close the national supply gap.”
Bakrin said the pioneering initiative aims to accelerate local sugar production and move Nigeria closer to self-sufficiency.
“For the first time, a structured outgrower development programme will formally integrate farmers at all levels into the national sugar value chain,” he said.
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“This campaign is about reaching every stakeholder, from large-scale operators to smallholder farmers, and ensuring that everyone has a fair opportunity to contribute to Nigeria’s journey towards self-sufficiency in sugar production.”
The NSDC boss said the programme will empower participating farmers through guaranteed off-take agreements, ensuring access to markets, quality seed cane and inputs, technical support, structured training programmes, and adoption of sustainable land and water use practices.
Lade Offurum, head of outgrower management at the NSDC, said SODP will engage three key categories of farmers: agribusinesses and commercial farmers cultivating 50 hectares and above, farming cooperatives who can apply as organised clusters of between 30 and 50 hectares, and individual farmers willing to jointly farm clusters of over 30 hectares.
She added that the application closes on November 21.
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