The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for extending the National Sugar Master Plan for another ten years.
The council said this would allow it to increase sugar production to 1.8 million metric tons to ensure the country’s self-sufficiency in this region.
Nigeria is the world’s largest sugar importer, with 1.87 million metric tons, according to data released by the United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service.
This is the situation that President Muhammadu Buhari inherited, but there is encouraging news that the nation may soon meet its sugar needs based on the recent approval of the sugar master plan.
The Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) said stakeholders in the sugar industries are stepping up efforts to increase production beyond requirements.
The current ban on refined sugar should give a boost to five local sugar producers
Total sugar consumption in the country stands at 1.7 million metric tons, but the National Sugar Council estimates that in 10 years the country will be able to produce 1.8 million metric tons.
The country still faces challenges in Phase 2 of the sugar development master plan which has just been approved by the President and which is to produce enough sugar cane for the country’s sugar refineries.
If Nigeria is to meet the consumption of 1.7 million metric tons, it must cultivate 250,000 hectares of land (with sugarcane) but it currently has less than 200,000 hectares open to investors.
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