NSDC CEO: We’re Deploying Planting Technology to Boost Sugar Production
The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has said it is deploying modern planting technology to boost sugar production in Nigeria as part of efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in the sector.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the council, Kamar Bakrin, disclosed this while speaking with journalists at the weekend in Abuja.
Bakrin explained that the council has established dedicated seedcane farms across the country to support greenfield sugar projects and ensure the availability of high-quality planting materials for farmers and investors.
According to him, the adoption of modern technology in sugarcane planting is aimed at improving yields, reducing production costs and enhancing efficiency across the value chain.
He noted that the seedcane farms are designed to produce disease-free and high-yield varieties of sugarcane that can significantly improve output when deployed to sugar estates and plantations.
The NSDC boss said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Nigeria Sugar Master Plan, which seeks to reduce the country’s dependence on sugar imports and strengthen local production capacity.
Bakrin added that the council is also working closely with investors, state governments and other stakeholders to address challenges in the sector, including infrastructure deficits, land acquisition and access to finance.
He stressed that boosting local sugar production would not only conserve foreign exchange but also create jobs, stimulate rural development and support industrial growth.
The NSDC reaffirmed its commitment to driving innovation and sustainable practices in the sugar industry, expressing optimism that the deployment of modern planting technology would accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward sugar self-sufficiency.
