Niger State is poised for a major agricultural and economic transformation following a $5 billion agreement to establish a sugar production hub.
The deal, signed on September 18, 2024, under Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, unites Uttham Sucrotech International, Rite Foods Ltd, and Legacy Sugar Company Ltd. It promises to boost sugarcane cultivation, create jobs, and enhance Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in sugar production.
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The initiative includes a three-year plan to develop six sugar mills, with four strategically located between Shiroro and Minna, and utilizes 148,000 hectares for sugarcane farming. An out-grower scheme will engage 110,000 local farmers, integrating them into the production chain.
Beyond sugar, the project will produce ethanol, generate power, and manufacture cattle feed. Stakeholders expressed confidence in its success, citing Niger’s vast agricultural potential and irrigation opportunities from Shiroro Dam.
Governor Bago hailed the initiative as a “game-changer” for food security and employment in Niger State.
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