Nigerian Government Unveils Sugarcane Scheme to Boost Local Production

The Nigerian government, through the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), has officially unveiled the Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme (SODP), a flagship initiative designed to accelerate local sugar production and propel Nigeria closer to achieving self-sufficiency in the commodity.

Dependable NG reports that the Executive Secretary of NSDC, Mr. Kamar Bakrin, announced that the programme is a key component of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan II (NSMP II). The SODP is specifically designed to scale up local sugarcane cultivation, significantly reduce the nation’s reliance on sugar imports, and stimulate inclusive economic growth, particularly in rural communities by integrating farmers into the supply chain.

Mr. Bakrin described the initiative as a pioneering effort in Nigeria’s sugar sector. “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. This programme will complement the output of existing large-scale sugar estates and help close the national supply gap,” he stated. He emphasized that for the first time, a structured outgrower development programme will formally integrate farmers at all levels into the national sugar value chain, ensuring that every stakeholder, from large-scale operators to smallholder farmers, has a fair opportunity to contribute to Nigeria’s self-sufficiency journey.

Speaking on the framework, Mrs. Lade Offurum, Head of Out-Grower Management at the NSDC, explained that the SODP will engage three key categories of farmers: agribusinesses and commercial farmers cultivating between 50 and 500+ hectares; farming cooperatives who can apply as organized clusters of between 30 and 50 hectares; and individual farmers or friends willing to jointly farm clusters of 30+ hectares. Participating farmers under the SODP are expected to benefit from guaranteed off-take agreements, access to quality seedcane and farm inputs, as well as essential technical assistance and structured training programmes. The application window for the initiative is set to close on November 21, 2025.