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It takes diligence and tact to convince investors to come into the sector going on the recent history of uncertainty
The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) CEO, Mr Kamar Bakrin, has been lauded for having onboarded two new sugar investors with a combined capacity of 20,000 hectares of land.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Amb Nura Abba Rimi, was given the kudos today in Abuja when he was hosted by the Sugar Council management.
"Mr Bakrin has only spent a few days in office, yet he's able to achieve so much.
"It takes diligence and tact to convince investors to come into the sector going by the recent history of uncertainty," he said.
Amb Rimi describes the NSDC CEO as a goal-getter who was successful in the private sector before he switched to public service.
On his part, Mr. Bakrin told the Ambassador that since his appointment in October 2023, he had been able to redesign the Backward Integration Programme (BIP) performance management framework to properly align with incentives, commenced revitalisation of the Nigeria Sugar Institute (NSI) in Ilorin to achieve production of 2 million seedlings and train 1,500 sugar industry workers.
" Other key targets include Land Under Cane (26,100ha); Sugar Produced (80,000MT); Total Installed Sugar Production Capacity (19,800 TCD)"
He also said that a revised NSMP strategy has been developed by his team.
He also took his host through his short and medium-term targets.
He added that before the end of the year, the Viable Land available should be 157,530ha. Other key targets include Land Under Cane (26,100ha); Sugar Produced (80,000MT); Total Installed Sugar Production Capacity (19,800 TCD); Outgrower Contribution (10%); Number of People Employed (22,000); Cane Yield (80MT/ha); and Sugar Recovery (10%).
In 2027, Mr Bakrin expects Viable Land to be 200,000ha; Land Under Cane (100,000 ha); Sugar Produced (670,000MT); Total Installed Sugar Production Capacity (50,000 TCD); Outgrower Contribution (20%); Number of People Employed (47,000); Cane Yield (120MT/ha); and Sugar Recovery (12%).
