In preparation for the upcoming 2024/2025 planting season, the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has delivered a significant boost to the Golden Sugar Company Ltd (GSC) in Sunti, Niger state.

The NSDC, through its Nigeria Sugar Institute (NSI) in Ilorin, presented a donation of high-yielding seed cane to aid the company’s efforts in enhancing sugar production.

This initiative is part of NSDC’s commitment to bolstering sugar operators and aligning with the objectives of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) II, which aims to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar production.

The variety provided, known as R579, was specifically requested by GSC for its superior yield, disease resistance, and cost-effectiveness in cultivation.

Making the presentation of five hundred 500 stalks (2500 sugarcane sett) to the GSC on behalf of the Executive Secretary/CEO of the NSDC, Mr. Kamar Bakrin, the Director/Interim Coordinator of NSI, Dr. Abiodun Adeyemo, emphasised the significance of high performing sugar cane varieties.

“Our goal is to empower sugar estates with the best planting materials,” he emphasized during the presentation ceremony.

Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Herman Smith, Agric Manager at GSC, expressed appreciation for the donation, citing the potential of the new variety to enhance their existing germplasm.

Mr. M. Venkat, Agronomy Manager at GSC, noted that the R579 variety showed higher yields compared to their current varieties, underscoring its strategic importance in their cultivation strategy.