HISTORY OF SUGARCANE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING IN MAKARFI LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF KADUNA STATE 1991-2023

This abstract provides an overview of the history of sugarcane production and marketing in Makarfi Local Government of Kaduna State, Nigeria, spanning the period from 1991 to 2023. Sugarcane is a significant agricultural commodity with economic importance, contributing to rural livelihoods and the overall agricultural sector. This study examines the historical trends, challenges, and opportunities related to sugarcane production and marketing in Makarfi Local Government. It explores the factors that influenced the growth and development of the sugarcane industry in the region, including agricultural policies, market dynamics, technological advancements, and socio-economic factors. By analyzing historical data, agricultural records, and interviews with key stakeholders, this study sheds light on the changes and transformations that have occurred in the sugarcane industry during the specified timeframe. It highlights the growth in sugarcane cultivation, the adoption of improved farming practices, and the expansion of sugarcane processing and marketing activities. Moreover, the study identifies the challenges faced by sugarcane farmers and marketers in Makarfi Local Government. These challenges may include inadequate access to credit and financing, limited infrastructure, fluctuating market prices, and issues related to pests and diseases. Understanding these challenges is crucial for formulating appropriate strategies and interventions to support the sustainable growth of the sugarcane industry. The study also explores the marketing aspects of sugarcane in Makarfi Local Government, including the distribution channels, market structures, and value chain linkages. It analyzes the role of various actors in the sugarcane market, such as farmers, middlemen, processors, and consumers, and assesses the efficiency and competitiveness of the marketing system. The findings of this study contribute to the existing knowledge on sugarcane production and marketing in Nigeria, particularly in the context of Makarfi Local Government. The historical analysis provides insights into the growth trajectory of the sugarcane industry and the factors that have influenced its development. These findings can inform policymakers, agricultural stakeholders, and researchers in designing targeted interventions and policies to enhance the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the sugarcane sector.In conclusion, the history of sugarcane production and marketing in Makarfi Local Government of Kaduna State from 1991 to 2016 reflects the challenges, opportunities, and transformations within the industry. By understanding the historical context and addressing the identified challenges, stakeholders can promote the growth and competitiveness of the sugarcane sector, contributing to rural development, agricultural diversification, and economic prosperity in the region.

 

Sugarcane is one of the important commercial crops in Makarfi Local Government of Kaduna State. Some of the areas that produce sugarcane include Makarfi, Soba, Kubau, Kudan and Giwa etc. Makarfi local government is one of the 23 local government areas in Kaduna state. The local government shares boundaries with four (4) local Governments namely, Rogo local Government in Kano State in the East, Kudan Local Government to the South East, Ikara Local Government to North West and Soba Local Government in the South West .Makarfi local government serve as the headquarters of sugarcane production in Kaduna state and that is why the local government was name as the Home of Sugarcane.  The sugarcane produced in the local government was initially for home consumption but later it began to be produced in large quantity and then taken outside the local government. The major market of sugarcane in the local government is in Makarfi. Sugarcane is an important commercial crop in the areas as it is one of the main sources of income to both producers and marketers and also a source of revenue to the government. 

The main intention of this work is to study the history of sugarcane production and marketing in Makarfi local government as well as its importance to the people of the area.

This work is structured in six chapters, Chapter one serves as general introduction for the whole work. Chapter two provide an overview on economic geography of Makarfi Local Government Area. Chapter three discusses the production, processing of Sugarcane in the local government, while chapter four analyzes the marketing and distribution of sugarcane in Makarfi local government area. Chapter five discusses the socio-economic importance of sugarcane and Chapter six concludes the work.

The main aim of this research is to examine sugarcane production and marketing in Makarfi local Government. However, the specific objectives are as follows:

To achieve the broad objectives stated above, the research was carried out by the use of two sources. These are writing and unwritten or primary and secondary sources. Primary sources include interviews and facts from archival materials, while secondary sources include books and journals are utilized. The researcher consulted sugarcane farmers who have the knowledge of its production and the sugarcane marketers who have the knowledge of its marketing. The researcheralso visited Makarfi local government secretariat and National Archive Kaduna for fact finding.

Both Primary and secondary, written and unwritten materials were used by the researcher to gather all the needed data in the study. The relevant text books, pamphlets and paper presentation were also consulted. The researcher also consulted farmers and marketers of sugarcane that has the knowledge about how sugarcane is cultivated and other offices where information and more materials would be found available from extension workers and other agricultural officers.

As this research on sugarcane production in Makarfi local government area is, it varied at portraying the history, nature and marketing in the area of studies, its Significant is quite enormous. Above all the research will provide an insight into one of the valuable cash crop and export crops that is being neglected in the country. In general, it is hoped that government efforts becomes more visible in sugarcane production, reforms and support to bulk of farmers and traders of Sugarcane so that its potentiality could be in full to the benefit of the country.

 

 

Map 101: Map of Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State

 

Source: Modified From Administrative Map of Kaduna State, 2006

According to Kaduna Agricultural Development Plan, sugarcane is produced and sold in many local government areas of the state, including Makarfi, Giwa and Kudan. About 20 thousand households in the state grew sugarcane in 2013, Makarfi is selected as sugarcane basket of the state.  Thus, detailed information on sugarcane production and identifying the problems associated with the production will help government and non-governmental organizations to design appropriate intervention measures in order to boost and improve production and the efficiency of sugarcane crop. 

Sugar from sugarcane is extracted today much the same as it was 40 years ago. Sugarcane has been grown all over the world in several types, and reached a popularity peak in the 1700s with the rise of Atlantic sugar plantations. Sugarcane was first introduced into the country along the western and eastern coast of Nigeria in the fifteenth century by European sailors.  However, only few farmers planted it then as a backyard garden crop because it was not possible to process it into a meal but was only fit for chewing. Following the development of the technique of making honey from sugarcane around the beginning of the 18th century, further interest in the crop was generated and it rapidly spread from the coast to the other parts of the country.  This research intends to fill the gap of sugarcane production, processing and marketing in Makarfi Local Government of Kaduna State.

There are many works that discussed sugarcane production in Nigeria, Makarfi local government in particular which is the area of study. Among these works is the work of Muhammad Sulaiman titled ‘’Economic Analysis of Sugarcane Production and its Contribution to Farm Income of Farmers in Maigana Agricultural Zone of Kaduna State, Nigeria’’ the work examine the economics of sugarcane production and its contribution to farm income for farmers in Maigana agricultural zone, Soba Local government of Kaduna state. The work is relevant to the study of Makarfi because of its proximity to these areas and they share the same geographical features. The discussed the concept and production of sugarcane as well as processing sugarcane in Maigana District of Soba Local Government. The main focus of Sulaiman’s dissertation isto analyzse the process of sugarcane in Maigana which is very useful to this research work. 

Sulaiman, In an Article in Asian Journal of Agricultural extension & sociology examined how profitable is sugarcane production and its contribution to farmers. The study also explain the duration of sugarcane farming, the soil requirement for cultivation of verities of sugarcane in the area and how it contributed to the production in large scale and its socio-economic developments over the years. The study is also relevant to sugarcane production in Kaduna State as it discuss not only production process but also the marketing of sugarcane in Makarfi local government.

Another valuable work relevant to this study is that of Olomola which discussed the two types of sugarcanes produced in Nigeria. Industrial cane and the chewing cane. Industrial sugarcane is the major raw material used in the manufacturing of sugar in the country.  The chewing cane is mainly chewed in its natural form for its sweet juice. However the local populace often process part of the sugarcane into various forms of sugar products. The study however pointed out that despite the long history of commercial sugarcane cultivation in Nigeria which dates back to the 1950s, the sugar industry remains grossly underdeveloped. Similarly, the sugar requirements of the country remain largely unmet from domestic sources despite favorable agro-climatic and edaphic conditions for the production of sugarcane and in spite of the long period of existence of sugar mills.  This is due to several reasons chief among them is the very low level of production of industrial cane in the country. 

Sani in his research discussed the process of sugarcane production, processing and marketing in Gummi District of Zamfara State. The work also examines the economic importance of sugarcane production to the people of the area. However, the work pointed out the problems associated with sugarcane Production and marketing in Gummi district of Zamfara state.  This work is relevant to my research because it discussed the production of sugarcane in Gummi which is similar to my area of study.

Abdul-lateef in his work titled sugarcane and sugar industries in Nigeria. 1n the work he discussed the economic importance of sugarcane production and its contribution to the growth of industries in Nigeria. The work also identifies the problems associated with the sugarcane production financial constraints, flooding, pest and insects, inadequate transport facilities etc that serve as constraint to farmers production in Nigeria. 

From the literature reviewed above, it could saythat the significance of sugarcane as an economic crop is never emphasized. Our main focus in the study is to examining sugarcane marketing in Makarfi local government area of Kaduna State.