The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has launched the Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme (SODP), a major initiative aimed at boosting local sugar production and helping Nigeria move closer to achieving self-sufficiency.
According to Kamar Bakrin, the Executive Secretary and CEO of NSDC, the programme is an important part of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP II). He explained that it is designed to expand sugarcane cultivation, reduce dependence on imported sugar, and create jobs that support economic growth in rural areas.
“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,” Bakrin said.
In a statement, he added that the SODP marks a new phase in Nigeria’s sugar sector as it introduces a structured outgrower development model that formally includes farmers at all levels in the national sugar value chain. “This campaign is about reaching every stakeholder, from large-scale operators to smallholder farmers, and ensuring that everyone has a fair opportunity to contribute to Nigeria’s journey towards self-sufficiency in sugar production,” he explained.
The NSDC boss also noted that the SODP will support participating farmers with guaranteed offtake agreements that ensure market access, provide quality seedcane and essential inputs, and deliver technical support and structured training. The programme also promotes sustainable land and water use practices to maintain environmental balance.
Speaking on how the programme will work, Lade Offurum, Head of Out-Grower Management at NSDC, said that the SODP will target three groups of participants. These include agribusinesses and commercial farmers cultivating between 50 and 500 or more hectares, farming cooperatives that operate as clusters of 30 to 50 hectares, and individuals or groups of friends willing to jointly farm clusters of 30 or more hectares.
The council stated that with the introduction of the SODP, it is taking another major step under the NSMP II to attract investments, empower local farmers, and build a globally competitive sugar industry in Nigeria.
