From Our Correspondent
Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger State has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three companies for the cultivation of sugarcane and process into sugar on a large scale.
TheNewsZenith reports that the companies are Uttham Sucrotech International, Rite Foods Ltd, and Legacy Sugar Company Ltd, alongside the state-owned Niger Foods.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Media and Strategy, Abdullberqy Usman Ebbo signed the MoU on behalf of the government, at the Government House, Minna.
Ebbo described the event as a significant step towards the agricultural revolution under the Bago administration.
He said the agreement aims to cultivate sugarcane massively over 148,000 hectares in a three-year plan.
This will feed six new sugar companies that the government plans to establish in different locations in the state.
According to the SA, each of the six sugar factories will process between 5,000 and 15,000 tonnes of sugarcane daily. They will also be producing sugar, ethanol and clean energy.
Ebbo explained that once operational, the factories will turn out approximately 1.6 million tonnes of sugar and 1.45 million tonnes of ethanol annually.
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This will enhance food production with both local and export potential.
He noted that the agreement would create a conducive environment for further investment and open numerous opportunities for Nigerlites and Nigerians, thus promoting industrialisation.
“The initiative aligns with the state government’s Green Economy Initiative. This is aiming to enhance food security and improve citizens’ quality of life.
“It also plans to empower local farmers, offering 110,000 out-growers and by-products like refined ethanol, power and cattle feeds.
“The MoU includes an off-take programme for 145 million litres of ethanol from the sugar plants, generating annual revenues of between N5 million to N6 million for participating farmers,” he said.
Ebbo expressed optimism that the initiative would alleviate pressure on the dollar and foster community growth and development.
It will also enhance job creation, skills training and increased local engagement and ultimately leading to poverty alleviation, he added.
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