News in brief:
– Niger State revives its sugarcane industry with a $2.5 billion project, creating over 350,000 jobs in Nigeria.
– Global partnerships with Brazil and India will support sustainable sugarcane cultivation and ethanol production.
The Niger State Government is set to revive its dormant sugar industry through the cultivation of 90,000 hectares of sugarcane. This ambitious project aims to bolster food security, create jobs, and promote rural industrialisation, with the total investment estimated at $2.5 billion.
Key details of the project
The project will utilise 90,000 hectares of arable land, including areas along the Sokoto-Lagos Super Highway. Additionally, a deal has been signed with Uttam Sucrotech, a consortium of sugar production experts from Brazil and India, to develop 250,000 hectares of sugarcane fields and establish six sugar/ethanol plants in the next three years.
The initiative is also expected to generate:
- 100,000 direct jobs, such as workers on farms and in factories.
- 250,000 indirect jobs, including roles in logistics and supply chains.
- Opportunities for 750,000 out-growers, who are small-scale farmers contracted to cultivate sugarcane.
Food security and industrialisation
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago highlighted that the project is designed to promote food security, reduce dependence on sugar imports, and enhance Nigeria’s agricultural economy. The introduction of sugar/ethanol plants will add value to raw sugarcane, boosting rural industrialisation.
Collaborating with leading sugar producers like Brazil and India ensures the adoption of advanced techniques for large-scale cultivation and small-scale farming programs. This blend of expertise will help achieve sustainable agricultural practices and high productivity.
Benefits of this project will include:
- Innovative partnerships: The inclusion of smallholder farmers (out-growers) demonstrates how strategic partnerships can integrate small-scale producers into large industrial projects. This model can inspire similar projects globally.
- Sustainability and value addition: The emphasis on ethanol production alongside sugar processing highlights the importance of maximising crop utility. Farmers worldwide can learn from such approaches to diversify income streams and reduce waste.
