From Our Correspondent
Bauchi, Jan. 8, 2024 (AEPNews) The Association of Sugarcane Dealers in Bauchi State says it is estimated to sell sugarcane worth N700 million between Sept. 2023 and February this year.
Mr Adamu Musa, Chairman of the association announced this during an interaction with newsmen, on Monday, in Bauchi.
According to him, the sugarcane markets receive goods worth N5 million daily from growers in various local government councils in the state and other neighbouring states.
The chairman explained that the harvesting period for sugarcane is usually between September and February every year.
According to him, farming activities take 10 months, beginning from land clearing to harvesting.“The association empowers more than 5000 people in the sugarcane production value chains. These include the farmers, labourers and dealers.
“More than 2000 people are known to cut sugarcane for retailers, while others are either involved in sanitation activities or hiring wheelbarrows among others.
“The major supplies of sugarcane in Bauchi state are mostly in Bauchi town, Alkaleri, Kirfi, Tafawa Balewa, Darazo, Giade, Ganjuwa and Zaki Local Government Areas,” AEPNews quotes Musa as saying.
Speaking of the refuse dump around th markets, the chairman said that the management had introduced the incinerator system for disposing waste. This is to curb air pollution and other health hazards to residents in the neighbourhood.
He said that researchers and investors visit the sugarcane markets regularly to collate end products for their various work.
Accordning to him, local producers of mattresses and pillows get their raw material resources from the daily market.
“We have people who produce local mattresses and pillows and those who are into researches, trying to produce animal feeds and other products, coming to get the sugarcane peels and other end products.
“Some come for the seedlings in preparation for next farming activities,” the chairman said.
Musa commended the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency and the state revenue authorities for maintaining harmonious working relationship with sugarcane dealers.
He called on Bauchi State Government to assist the markets with infrastructure for the welfare and convenience of stakeholders in the markets.
This, he added, would also boost the state’s revenue generation. (AEPNews)
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