NSDC to Boost Sugar Production in Oyo State, Seeks Government Support

The National Sugar Development Council, NSDC, has promised to boost the economy of Oyo State through its sugar factory in the state.

The Executive Secretary of NSDC, Mr Zacch Adedeji made the promise when the Director General of the Oyo State Liason Office, Abuja, Mr Wale Ajani led a five-man delegation to visit him in Abuja.

Mr Adedeji who said the council has already established a mini sugar factory in Iseyin and Iwajowa Local Government Areas of the state; said Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States have 80 percent of sugar consumption in the country.

He explained that NSDC is working with Sugarcane Farmers Cooperative Societies towards enhancing the growth of the sector in the state, noting that Nigeria today consumes 1.7metric tones of sugar  and to locally produce this in Oyo State the government will require two hundred and fifty thousand irrigated land in a normal temperate area.

According to him, the council has put in place necessary policies and programmes that would accelerate Nigeria’s drive to attain self sufficiency in sugar production as captured in the Nigerian Sugar Master Plan, NSMP, which is a ten year document for the sector.

Mr. Adedeji therefore solicited the support of the state government on road construction, dam and irrigation facilities in the existing NSDC Sugar Factory in the state, to fast track the growth of the sector and contribute to economic development.

Earlier, the Director General of Oyo State Liason Office, Abuja, Mr Wale Ajani who congratulated the Executive Secretary of NSDC, Mr Zacch Adedeji on his appointment, said the visit was to seek the collaboration of the council towards the establishment of sugar factories in the state.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ajani who stated that sugarcane farming is one of the major occupation of some people of the state, has called for technical support and training for Oyo residents and citizens in the sugar sector, to fast track its growth in the state.

He therefore promised the state government’s support to NSDC to further encourage the development of the sector and boost the state’s economy.