Abuja: The Federal Government has inaugurated the Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme (SODP), a flagship initiative aimed at accelerating local sugar production and strengthening the national sugar value chain.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr Kamar Bakrin, said the programme would also create job opportunities in rural communities.
The SODP, implemented by the NSDC, is a key component of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan II (NSMP II), which aims to enhance local sugarcane cultivation and reduce the country’s dependence on sugar imports.
Bakrin said the initiative would drive inclusive economic growth by integrating outgrower farmers into the sugar industry’s supply chain while complementing the production capacity of existing large-scale sugar estates.
He explained, “The SODP is designed to boost local sugarcane cultivation, reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports, and integrate outgrower farmers into the industry’s supply chain.
“It will complement existing estates and close the supply gap.”
Bakrin described the programme as a pioneering effort in Nigeria’s sugar sector, marking the first structured framework to formally integrate farmers at all levels into the national sugar value chain.
“This campaign targets all stakeholders, from large-scale operators to smallholder farmers, ensuring everyone has a fair opportunity to contribute to Nigeria’s drive for self-sufficiency in sugar production,” he said.
Under the programme, participating farmers would benefit from guaranteed offtake agreements, access to quality seedcane and farm inputs, technical assistance, and structured training programmes.
Bakrin added that the SODP would promote sustainable land and water management practices, enhancing productivity while encouraging environmental responsibility among participating communities.
Mrs Lade Offurum, Head of Out-Grower Management at NSDC, explained that the programme targeted three categories: commercial farmers with 50–500 hectares, cooperatives with 30–50 hectares, and small groups jointly managing clusters of at least 30 hectares.
Offurum stated that the structure ensured diverse participation while enabling the efficient aggregation and management of smallholder production systems, thereby fostering inclusivity and operational efficiency.
With the inauguration of the SODP, the NSDC reaffirmed its commitment to the objectives of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan II, including boosting local production, empowering farmers, and developing a globally competitive sugar industry.
