Sugarcane: It’s importance in community development

Farmers particularly in rural areas engage in mass production of sugarcane as a reliable source of green and renewable energy as the chaff obtained after the processing of the sugar for juice extraction can be used to produce electricity and steam power.In 1968, Mauritian in South America was highly dependent on mono-crop agriculture, producing sugarcane. […]

Farmers particularly in rural areas engage in mass production of sugarcane as a reliable source of green and renewable energy as the chaff obtained after the processing of the sugar for juice extraction can be used to produce electricity and steam power.
In 1968, Mauritian in South America was highly dependent on mono-crop agriculture, producing sugarcane. The agriculture sector contributed over 90% of their annual exports. This made the sugar industry one of the pillars of the Mauritian economy, accounting for over 5,000 direct jobs.
Such stride can be emulated in Nigeria. A visit to Wuya Reke Community of Bida, Niger State will make one marvel at how the community is blessed with sugarcane.
Interestingly, young and old men have taken this opportunity to empower themselves and the women venture into the sugarcane business to earn a living. The men farm sugarcane in large quantities and the women retail it on the streets.
In an interview, the village head of the community, Malam Mohammed Kudu, who is also a farmer, said he inherited the sugarcane farming from his father and that for over 300 years of the existence of the community, sugarcane farming has been a major source of income for the community members.
Malam Mohammed further revealed that the community itself got its name ‘Wuya Reke’ from the sugarcane farming there. ‘Rake’ is the name for sugarcane in Hausa language. He said the business is thriving in the community because the people have two types of sugarcane which they plant in the rainy and dry seasons. The difference between the two is that the one planted during the dry season is strong and sweeter, while the one planted during the raining season contains more water.
The market where sugarcane is sold provides an avenue for buyers from various parts of the country and from across our borders to come and buy in large quantities. The community has two market days – one of the markets is where business men from the far north come to sell their cows in exchange for sugarcane while the other is when other nationals come with trailers or large trucks to buy sugarcane for export to their countries.
The farmers said they record huge sales when buyers from outside the country come for the sugarcane. Then most of the young men who do not engage in farming are hired to load trailers and the trucks and they are paid handsomely, while the women engaged in hawking of sugar cane to travellers and passers by.
Some of the customers who visit the community urge that sugarcane farming should not be neglected as it has great economic value. They further urge the federal government and private sector to establish sugar production industries in the community in order to enhance the growth and development of the state.

Enock John is a student of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State.