NSDC Tasks Farmers, Stakeholders On Investment In Sugar Sector ‎

‎The Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin, has called on members of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and other potential investors to seize the immense opportunities in Nigeria’s sugar sector.
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‎Addressing the farmers who paid him a visit in his office in Abuja, Mr. Bakrin also called on stakeholders to key into the national push to reduce the country’s over-dependence on imported raw sugar and its by-products.
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‎According to the NSDC boss, local production of sugar is not just a strategic economic imperative but a profitable venture with an assured market, attractive returns, and strong government backing.
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‎“This is the right time to invest. The Nigerian sugar market is currently valued at over $2 billion, that of Africa is $7bn and the continental deficit will rise to 13 MT in 2030 due to rising demand and regional supply gaps. The market for sugar by-products is worth $10bn.”

‎The NSDC Boss noted that the country’s sugar consumption figures, foreign exchange realities and rising global supply chain uncertainties have made investments in local production more profitable than ever before.

The Executive Secretary told his guests that the prevailing macroeconomic conditions have made local production more competitive and importation more challenging.
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‎Mr. Bakrin informed the gathering that after a robust land viability assessment, the Council is now in possession of a land bank of 150,000 ha, suitable for sugarcane cultivation and available to new investors.

The hectares of land, he said, lie in secure regions with favourable climate, proximity to water sources, and community support.

“It has become very very valuable to produce sugar in Nigeria now. It wasn’t always the case but it is the case now. Four critical factors that have created compelling opportunities to invest in sugarcane growing and processing to meet local and export demand for sugar and associated value-added products include (1) Attractive Market(s) (2) Operational Feasibility (3) Sound Economics and (4) Sustainable and Future-proof Business, he explained.”
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‎in his words, “to bridge the production deficit with the commercial outgrower initiative, the Council aims to place at least 50,000 hectares of land under cane and recruit capable commercial farmers with farm sizes ranging from 50 to 200 hectares, particularly within proximity to sugar estates in Numan, Bacita, Sunti, and Lafiagi and to de-risk investments, NSDC has structured a robust support package under the NSMP II”.

Earlier, the President of the Association, Dr. Faruk Mudi, accepted the task of mobilising its members to show more interest in the sugar industry especially the commercial outgrower scheme.

While commending the NSDC for its numerous programmes in developing the nation’s sugar industry, Dr. Mudi called for more public private sector collaboration towards harnessing the potential in the sector.

Mathew Ayoola, Edited By Grace Namiji