The Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme (SODP) is an initiative by the
National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) to increase local sugarcane production,
reduce sugar imports, and support farmers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses to
actively participate in Nigeria’s growing sugar industry.

Applications are open to:
Agribusiness:
Eligibility Criteria
1. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation issued by Corporate Affairs Commission
(CAC) including Forms CAC2 and CAC7 (or CAC 1.1)
2. Minimum of three years’ experience in large-scale open-field cultivation (50
hectares or more).
3. Proven records of commercial crop production (any crop) over the last three
years, including off-take arrangements.
4. Must demonstrate technical and managerial capacity to implement the
outgrower scheme.
5. Financial capability evidenced by audited statements and bank references.
Registered cooperatives of smallholder farmers:
Eligibility Criteria
1. Must be duly registered with a recognized government body (CAC or State
Cooperative Agency)
2. Must operate with an active and transparent leadership structure
3. Demonstrated experience in agricultural production, preferably sugarcane or
other commercially viable crops.
4. Proven crop production history in the last cycle.
5. Demonstrated financial capacity supported by a reputable commercial bank.
Individual farmers:
Eligibility Criteria
1. Must provide a national Identification Document (International Passport,
National Identity Number (NIN), Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), Driver’s License
etc.)
2. Minimum of three years of farming experience, with a proven track record of
cultivating a minimum of 30 hectares.
3. Verifiable proof of access to land (ownership or long-term lease) suitable for the
proposed hectarage
4. Demonstrate at least three years of experience in farming, with a proven track
record of cultivating at least 5 hectares of land (documents or pictures will
suffice)
5. Proven farming records from the last farming cycle, including crops grown,
yields, input usage and challenges faced
6. Demonstrated financial capacity supported by a reputable commercial bank

Applicants must be able to cultivate at least 30+ hectares. Land categories are:
● Individual farmers: minimum of 30 hectares
● Cooperatives: Minimum of 30 hectares
● Agribusiness:: Minimum of 50 hectares

Yes. NSDC helps allocate farmland in areas identified as most suitable for growing
sugarcane.
These include parts of Kwara, Niger, and Adamawa States, chosen because they have
good soils, access to water, favourable weather, and are close to existing or planned
sugar factories.
If you already have your own land, you can also use it, as long as it meets NSDC’s
standards for sugarcane farming.

NSDC will help you succeed by providing:
● Land clearing and preparation
● Help setting up irrigation systems (cost shared with farmers)
● Input loans for seed cane, fertilizers, and agrochemicals
● Training, technical advice, and extension support
● Monitoring and guidance to improve farm performance
Farmers are responsible for planting, crop management, harvesting, and covering
other operational costs.

Achieve a minimum yield of 100 metric tonnes of cane per hectare
● Ensure a minimum sucrose content of 8%
Participants will be categorised based on the scale of their cultivation, with the
following hectarage targets:
● Individual Farmers: minimum of 30 hectares
● Cooperatives: minimum of 30 hectares
● Agribusiness: minimum of 50 hectares
Other production targets will be shared as the programme progresses

Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) form online (PDF) through the NSDC website:
https://www.nsdcnigeria.org/commercial-outgrower/ For help, call +2347073536567 /
+2347073949998
or email: commercialoutgrowers@nsdc.gov.ng

For Agribusiness:
● CAC registration documents (CAC2, CAC7, or CAC1.1)
● A Technical Proposal which contains a proposed approach for implementing
the outgrower scheme
● Company profile and technical proposal (with CVs of key staff)
● Records from your last three farming cycles, showing the crops grown, land size
(hectarage), harvest volumes, and irrigation methods (if used)
● Details of off-take for crop cultivated through the 3 years of consideration
● Team organogram, bio /or profiles, existing machineries/equipment,
technologies and partnerships (that will be leveraged in cultivating the
assigned hectarage)
● A Reference Letter from a reputable commercial bank in Nigeria indicating
evidence of financial capability to participate in the programme
● The most recent full year audited financial statement (FY2024 preferred) or the
management account for the same year
● Document showing proof of land ownership or lease (if applicable)For Cooperative:
● Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation issued by Corporate Affairs Commission
(CAC) including Forms (CAC2 and CAC7 or CAC 1.1)
● Executive committee/leadership structure with clear roles, responsibilities, and
transparent decision-making processes
● Provide evidence of an active membership of smallholder farmers who will
directly participate in the programme and benefit from its implementation
● Provide proof of verifiable experience in agricultural production, with
preference given to those that have engaged in sugarcane cultivation or other
commercially viable crops
● Bank reference letter
● All documents for submission must be transmitted with a covering /forwarding
letter under the Cooperative’s Letterhead Paper bearing amongst others, the
Registration Number (RC) as issued by Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Contact Address, Telephone Number (preferably phone number) and e-mail
address.
For Individual Farmers:
● National Identification Document (International Passport, National Identity
Number (NIN), Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), Driver’s License etc.)
● Verifiable proof of access to land (ownership or long-term lease) suitable for the
proposed hectarage(if applicable )
● Demonstrate at least three years of experience in farming, with a proven track
record of cultivating at least 5 hectares of land (documents or pictures will
suffice)
● Provide farming records from the last farming cycle, including crops grown,
yields, input usage and challenges faced
● A Reference Letter from a reputable commercial bank indicating good financial
standing
● All documents must be submitted with a cover letter providing a contact
address, telephone number, and email address.

Friday, 21 November 2025 by 11:59 p.m.

No, only online submissions are required..

You must show you have enough funds or financing to run the project.
Without this, your application cannot be approved.

Successful applicants must participate in the programme for at least 6 years.

This is because sugarcane farming works in long cycles; the first crop takes almost two
years before harvest, and subsequent ratoon crops are harvested yearly. A 6-year
period allows enough time to get multiple harvests, recover your investment, benefit
from NSDC’s support, and ensure steady supply to the sugar mills.
The initial contract runs for 6-years and can be renewed, however, applicants should
plan for a minimum of 6-year commitment.

Yes. NSDC will provide a guaranteed offtake with designated sugar milling facilities.
Pricing will be determined using NSDC’s approved formula, which will be clearly
stated in the offtake agreement.

You can state your preference, but final allocation depends on land availability and
NSDC’s planning.

The initial contract runs for 6- years. While you can exit the programme, it must be
done in line with the terms of the signed agreement. Please note that penalties and
other consequences may apply for breaching the contract.

A. If you need NSDC to allocate land:
1. NSDC reviews your application
2. Shortlisted applicants are selected
3. You’ll be invited to an information session
4. A contract is signed with NSDC, off-takers, and relevant programme partners
5. Land is allocated within the sugar belt
B. If you are using your own land:
1. NSDC reviews your application
2. Your land will be inspected for suitability
3. Shortlisted applicants are selected
4. You’ll be invited to an information session
5. A contract is signed with NSDC, off-takers, and relevant programme partners
6. Your land is enrolled in the programme, giving you full access to NSDC’s
support

NSDC will track your progress using key indicators like:
1. Yield per hectare
2. Sucrose content
3. Proper use of inputs
4. Compliance with environmental and safety standards
5. Jobs created and community impact
You will be required to submit regular reports on your farm’s performance.

You may collaborate with other farmers, cooperatives, or financiers to raise your equity
portion.
Some input credit arrangements may also be available through NSDC-approved
financiers.

Successful applicants will be contacted directly for onboarding.
Unsuccessful applicants will not receive individual notifications.

NSDC’s SODP Helpdesk Team
Phone numbers: +2347073536567 or +2347073949998
Email address: commercialoutgrowers@nsdc.gov.ng