In its efforts at boost sugar cane production by offering valuable assistance to sugar estates, the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has presented high-yielding seed cane to Golden Sugar Company Ltd. (GSC) ahead of the 2024–2025 planting season.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NSDC, Mr. Kamar Bakrin, disclosed at the presentation that the presentation was made as part of efforts to empower sugar operators with the implementation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) II, especially the attainment of self-sufficiency in sugar production.
The sugarcane variety that was requested by the GSC was presented at the Nigeria Sugar Institute (NSI), Ilorin, which was established as the training arm of the NSDC to conduct research and provide support for increased local sugar production through the supply of promising planting materials.
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Bakrin, represented by the Director/Interim Coordinator of NSI, Dr. Abiodun Adeyemo, noted that the significance of high-performing varieties cannot be overemphasized, explaining that they are characterized by higher sugarcane yield, resistance to diseases and pests, lower production costs, and promote environmentally friendly practices.
“I am aware that NSI had donated some planting materials to Dangote Sugar Company in Numan before now. We have provided a promising sugarcane variety, R579. A total of 500 stalks have been carefully selected and packaged into about 2,500 sets. This commitment to providing planting materials is a testament to our dedication to fostering strong partnerships within the sugar industry. He said
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The GSC Agronomy Manager, Mr. M. Venkat, appreciated the coordinator for the seed cane, saying they had 120 varieties in their germplasm, but they didn’t have this particular variety, and that they discovered that this variety has a higher yield than most of the ones they have.
