The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has commissioned its second sugarcane Bio-factory which is located in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital. This came after it commissioned the first sugarcane Bio-factory in the country located within the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2015.
The sugarcane Bio-factory in Ilorin is established by the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) in collaboration with the University of Ilorin Sugar Research Institute.
In his remarks at the event, the Executive Secretary, NSDC, Dr. Latif Busari said the Sugarcane Bio-factory is expected to make good use of tissue culture to produce and multiply a few sugarcane varieties thereby ensuring the provision of pure, clean and good quality sugarcane seeds for the growth of the entire sugar industry.
Also, the sugarcane Bio-factory will ensure rapid propagation of superior plant, eliminate diseases, from plant propagative materials, accelerate variety development and distribution, ensure increased industry capacity to minimise loss from diseases and pest as well as guarantee prompt and cost effective means of transporting seed materials.
The sugarcane Bio-factory is also expected to provide the following services, “micro-propagate planting materials of sugarcane, conduct culture media, acclimatization of seedlings transportation for clients, provision of capacity development for scientists as well as installation of bioreactors for interested clients in tissue culture laboratory”.
The Bio-factory’s clients include, sugar companies, sugarestates, independent sugarcane farmers, corporate bodies and individuals interested in tissue culture products and services, as well as other interested groups.
The NSDC Sugarcane Bio-factory in Ilorin was commissioned by the Honourable Minister of State, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Sunday Edet Akpan.
The event was attended by a representative of the Executive Governor of Kwara state, Abdulfatai Ahmed, top management staff of the University of Ilorin, Chief Executives of sugar companies, relevant government agencies, traditional rulers as well as members of the host community.