News in brief:
– Niger State partners with three companies to establish sugar mills, boost sugar production, and empower farmers.
– The project will increase local sugar production and generate significant income for 110,000 participating farmers.
The Niger State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three companies —Uttham Sucrotech International, Rite Foods Limited, and Legacy Sugar Company— to promote sugarcane cultivation and sugar production. This initiative promises to improve livelihoods and stimulate economic growth, especially for local farmers.
The MoU, a three-year project, involves establishing six sugar mills across Niger State, with four located between Shiroro and Minna. This project spans a massive 148,000 hectares (ha) of land and aims to increase local sugar production, which currently stands at only 3% of the country’s consumption needs.
Sustainable development & technology transfer
Uttham Sucrotech International plans to provide 110,000 outgrowers (smallholder farmers who supply their crops to a larger processing company) for sugarcane cultivation. In addition to sugar, the company will produce ethanol, cattle feed, and generate power. Farmers participating in the project are expected to earn between ₦5 million to ₦6 million annually, making it a significant income source for rural communities.
The chairman of Uttham Sucrotech, Rajan Adlakha, emphasised the use of advanced technology for the sugar plants. The excess water from the Shiroro Dam will also be harnessed for the sugar mills, ensuring a sustainable water supply. This innovation not only boosts sugar production but also allows the by-products of sugarcane to be utilised efficiently, such as producing 145 million litres of ethanol annually.
Niger State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, highlighted the project as a game-changer, revealing that a billion-dollar sovereign guarantee fund will be used to support this sugar initiative. Beyond boosting agriculture, the project aims to reduce Nigeria’s sugar import dependence and ease pressure on foreign exchange. It will also promote local economic growth and development.
Rite Foods Limited, another key player in this collaboration, aims to ensure that the produced sugar finds a ready market. This includes creating a solid consumer base, ensuring sustainability in the long term. With this support, Niger State’s sugar project is set to change the agricultural landscape, providing new opportunities for farmers and improving food security.
