NSDC Launches Outgrower Programme to Boost Local Sugar Production

The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has launched a new Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme (SODP) aimed at boosting local sugar production and accelerating Nigeria’s journey toward self-sufficiency.

In a statement obtained on Tuesday, the council described the initiative as a key component of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan designed to integrate farmers at every level into the national sugar value chain while reducing dependence on imports.

Speaking at the launch, NSDC Executive Secretary and CEO, Kamar Bakrin, said the programme would enhance sugarcane cultivation across the country and open more opportunities for inclusive economic growth.

“The SODP is designed to boost local sugarcane cultivation, reduce Nigeria’s dependence on sugar imports, and create opportunities for inclusive growth by integrating outgrower farmers into the industry’s supply chain,” Bakrin said.

He explained that the programme would complement large-scale sugar estates and help bridge the nation’s sugar supply gap, describing it as a “pioneering step” in Nigeria’s sugar sector.

Bakrin added that for the first time, a structured system would formally integrate farmers into the national sugar value chain, ensuring every stakeholder from smallholders to large agribusinesses has a role in achieving self-sufficency.