Introduction
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), is a species of the tall perennial true grass and belongs to the grass family Poaceae. Sugarcane is one of the valuable crops grown in the world and this is as a result of its strategic position and its varied use both for individual and industrial reasons. Sugar cane accounts for about 60-80% of the world sugar production.
Sugarcane is indigenous to tropical south and south-east Asia, but can be successfully grown in other areas. As at 2012, an estimate of 1.86 billion tons of sugarcane was harvested from 26 million hectares of land cultivated. Currently, Brazil is the largest producer of sugarcane followed by India, China, Thailand, Pakistan and Mexico.
Propagation – Basic requirement
Sugarcane grows and thrives in a variety of soils, but it grows best in deep, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter with a pH of between 5.0 and 8.0. Sugarcane is suited to tropical and subtropical regions, with high-temperature 26-330C, radiation and sufficient annual rainfall between 1500 and 2500mm. In Nigeria, sugarcane can be cultivated in Kwara, Niger, Kano, Kaduna, Kastina, Jigawa, Taraba, Sokoto and Adamawa and in the absence of sufficient rainfall in these regions, artificial irrigation should be provided.
Planting
Sugarcane is an asexual plant hence it is majorly propagated by planting vegetative cutting or materials such as setts (stem cuttings or sections of a stalk) or settlings (cane setts with roots or shoots). In propagation using setts, healthy sugarcane plants should be selected( preferably, long and thick stems about 40cm long), then the sugarcane stems should be split into foot-long pieces called ‘setts’ after these, furrows or trenches about 4-inches deep should be dug and the sett planted horizontally in the furrows.
Image source:YouTube
Pest and Diseases
Sugarcane is susceptible to pest and disease attack throughout its growth process, these attacks are of economic importance as they affect the quantity and the quality of yield, hence they must be eliminated or reduced to the barest minimum. The best method is prevention and that is achieved by eliminating causative factors such as waterlogging, nitrogen build-up, lodging, etc., and in cases with the emergence of pests and diseases, an appropriate treatment with pesticide and fungicide should commence. Listed below are some of the most common pests and diseases of sugarcane.
Earlyshoot Borer- this insect attacks the sugarcane during its early state before the formation of the internode.
Internode borer- this insect attacks the crop soon after the internodes are formed and the attack continues until harvest is done.
Pyrilla (Pyrilla Purpusilla Walker)– is the most destructive foliage sucking pest of sugarcane, heavy rainfall, high humidity, high temperature and wind movement are major factors that favours Pyrilla multiplication.
Red Rot (Colletotrichum Falcatum)- is the most dreaded disease of the sugarcane, that has caused the loss of some important varieties. The most significant or characteristics sign of this disease is the presence of reddish discoloured patches or lesions interspersed with white horizontal patches on the internal tissue.
Ratoon stunting disease- is the most important cause for sugarcane varietal degeneration, this disease leads to progressive decline in yield and germination.
Harvesting
Sugarcane can be harvested manually or using mechanized tools. In manual harvesting, the field is set on fire to burn dry leaves and also chase or kill snakes hiding in the plantation, this leaves the water rich stalks and root unharmed. The cane is then cut a little above ground-level with a machete or cane knife, the disadvantage of this method is if carried out by unskilled workers, loss of cane & sugar yield, poor juice quality and others difficulties may arise. In big plantations, harvesting is carried out by mechanized harvesters.
Mechanical Harvesting [Image source:Ag Center]
Manual method of sugarcane harvesting [Image source: Agefotostock]
How To Sell Your Crops
You must start this step before actually delving into sugarcane farming if you want to be very successful. To do that, you have to identify the markets and partners that you want to sell to. Do you want to sell to people who will resell at the local markets? Do you want to sell by yourself at the local market? Are you looking to create strategic partnerships with agro-allied product makers and pharmaceuticals? Are you going to start supplying sugar factories around the country?
Whatever you want to do, make sure that you start the process before you go out and invest in sugarcane farming. Yes, sugarcane farming will always be profitable, as the National Bureau of Statistics report shows, but you have to create a proper structure that will help you make profits seamlessly.
Prospects of Sugarcane Farming in Nigeria
Sugarcane farming in Nigeria is a huge opportunity for agriculture entrepreneurs, and farmers should take advantage of it. According to the recent NBS report for the first quarter of 2021, Nigerians spent over 89 billion importing sugarcane to meet the local demand. Additionally, statistics show that Nigeria is still only meeting 10% of its local sugar needs, which means that we still import over 90% of our sugar. In light of that, you can take advantage of this opportunity as an entrepreneur to start a business that will remain profitable for you for a long time.
There is a massive opportunity for starting a profitable sugarcane farming business in Nigeria. But, unfortunately, Nigerian agricultural entrepreneurs and farmers are not taking advantage of this opportunity.
According to Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report, Nigeria spent a whopping 89 billion Naira on sugarcane importation in the first quarter of 2021 alone! This data inadvertently means there’s an investment opportunity in sugarcane farming. Nigerian farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs can take advantage of this investment opportunity.
Sugarcane is a vital commodity. It’s the primary raw material used in manufacturing edible sugar. Also, it can be consumed directly and used for other agro-allied products. It, therefore, means that if you invest in sugarcane farming, the chances are that you will make a good profit.
Investment opportunity in sugarcane cultivation
Although, Nigeria has the largest sugar refinery in Africa, there are few milling plants hence most of it raw materials are imported, as such we lose out on by-product such as bagasse which is also very useful. Bagasse is the fiber that remains after the juice of the sugar cane has been extracted. It used as biofuel and in the manufacturing of paper and building materials. Hence, investment in the sugarcane value chain in Nigeria includes but is not limited to sugarcane cultivation, sugarcane mills and ethanol plants.
Importance and uses of sugarcane
Sugarcane is an extremely important crop as its products are some of the world’s most consumed or used products. Below are some of the products from sugarcane.
Sugar is one of the most consumed substance in the world, and 70% of world sugar production comes from sugarcane.
Ethanol gotten from sugarcane is more energy efficient than other crop based ethanol, and is used majorly as biofuel.
Bagasse, the fibrous material left after the extraction of sugar cane juice is also used as biofuel (heat and power) and for making pulp and building materials. Sugar mills can be powered by bagasse generated electricity.
Molasses, a by-product of sugarcane juice extraction process is used in making rum.
Sugarcane is also used locally for making drinks.
Why invest in Sugarcane?
Sugarcane farming is a lucrative venture under the right conditions. Opportunities abound in cultivating it because its products are of immense value and importance to man.
Sugarcane is one of the most cultivated plants in the world.
It can be harvested up to 10 times before replanting.
There is a continuous and growing market for its produce globally.
There is also a 5-year tax-free holiday for investors in Nigeria.
There is renewed interest in sugarcane cultivation with the government releasing the sum of N26bn to resuscitate the Sunti sugar company.
With the world turning to eco-friendly fuel options, oil companies such as Royal Dutch Shell and British Petroleum (BP) have also invested in the sugarcane industry for its energy efficient ethanol. Also with the current low price of crude oil, sugarcane is a viable business to venture into as an alternative to crude oil.
With almost $500 million being spent in importing raw sugar, sugarcane cultivation in Nigeria is a promising venture.
Constraints
Sugarcane is susceptible to attacks from pests and diseases.
Varieties with high yield are not locally available.
To read more about Sesame Production CLICK HERE
References
- Onwueme IC (2005). Crop Science: Tropical Agricultural Series.
- TNI Agrarian Justice Programme ( June 2013): ‘ The sugarcane industry and the global economic crisis’.
- https://www.fao.org/3/a-at584e.pdf
- www.mbendi.com
- www.sugarcanecrops.com
- www.thisdaylive.com
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugarcane
- https://www.entrepreneurs.ng/how-to-start-sugarcane-farming-in-nigeria/
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