Some farmers in Hadejia, Jigawa, have commended the state government over the establishment of two sugar factories by Dangote Group and Crystal Sugar Company.
A cross-section of the farmers gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Hadejia on Sunday.
Alhaji Idris Yau, a commercial farmer, stated that the effort of state government in encouraging investment in the sector was “commendable”.
Yau stated the sugar factories would generate employment and enhance wealth creation among rural farmers.
“We commend the establishment of sugarcane plantations and sugar factories in Hadejia and Kaugama local government areas of the state.
“This is a clear demonstration of the state government’s commitment to encourage investment in agriculture and manufacturing sectors,” he stated.
Malam Abdullahi Haruna, another farmer, stated that the establishment of the sugar factories would encourage sugarcane farming in the state.
Haruna noted that farmers were not cultivating sugarcane due to lack of market for the produce.
“With this development, farmers who hitherto, abandoned the plantations will now cultivate sugarcane,” he stated.
recalls that the Jigawa government had in the year 2000 introduced industrial sugarcane farming and established a sugar factory in Hadejia.
state would be employed as conventional factory workers.
“We are hoping to commence work in the factory before the end of the year, because production of sugar is a seasonal business and the season is quite short,” he stated.
The business mogul added that the factory would utilise products from sugarcane to produce ethanol for vehicles, fertiliser and animal feeds to boost social and economic activities for the people of the state.
However, that both the two factories owned by Dangote Group and Crystal Sugar Company respectively were yet to commence operation, reports.