NSDC Launches Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme to Boost Local Production
The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has launched the Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme (SODP), a flagship initiative aimed at boosting local sugar production and advancing Nigeria’s drive toward self-sufficiency in the sector.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin (R), with the Head of Strategy and Performance Management, Ms. Edirin Akemu (L), during the launch of the Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme (SODP), a landmark initiative of his administration which is meant to accelerate local production of sugar and move Nigeria closer to self-sufficiency.
He explained that the SODP will 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. The programme will complement the output of existing large-scale sugar estates and help close the national supply gap.
Bakrin described the initiative as a pioneering step in Nigeria’s sugar sector, noting that it is the first structured outgrower scheme to formally integrate farmers of all levels into the national sugar value chain. He said the campaign seeks to engage every stakeholder, from large-scale operators to smallholder farmers, and ensure that all have a fair opportunity to contribute to Nigeria’s journey toward self-sufficiency in sugar production.
Under the SODP, participating farmers will benefit from guaranteed offtake agreements that ensure market access, as well as access to quality seedcane, farm inputs, technical assistance, and training. The programme will also promote sustainable land and water management practices to improve productivity.
Explaining the implementation framework, the Head of Out-Grower Management at the NSDC, Mrs. Lade Offurum, said the SODP targets three categories of participants: commercial farmers cultivating between 50 and 500 hectares or more; farming cooperatives organised in clusters of 30 to 50 hectares; and individual farmers or groups jointly managing clusters of 30 hectares and above.
Offurum noted that the programme will link these groups to large-scale sugar estates and processing companies, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships that strengthen the entire value chain.
With the rollout of the SODP, the NSDC reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan II, which aims to expand investments in local production, empower farmers, and position Nigeria as a globally competitive player in the sugar industry.
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