By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, March 17, GNA – The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ghana’s citrus industry, particularly orange growers, to enhance production and reduce wastage and to be globally competitive.
Mr. Eric Opoku, Minister of Food and Agriculture, has encouraged the Orange Growers Association (OGA) of Ghana to submit a formal proposal for financial and technical support.
The Minister conveyed the message through Mr. Kwasi Etu-Bonde, the Ministry’s Technical Advisor, during a meeting with OGA’s leadership in Accra.
The Association’s visit aimed to explore opportunities within the Ministry’s various directorates to scale up operations and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Mr. Etu-Bonde explained the plans of the Ministry in establishing Farmers Service Centers across the country to provide essential support to farmers.
He urged OGA to take advantage of this initiative to expand their operations and enhance productivity.
Mr. Theodore Tsidi Kloba, Operations Lead at OGA, said with the Ministry’s backing and potential assistance, the industry could witness a major transformation, offering better returns for farmers and boosting the country’s agricultural value chain.
OGA highlighted key challenges facing Orange farmers in the citrus industry, including high post-harvest losses and infestation, poor agronomic practices, lack of ready market, low competitive prices, market standardization concerns, and limited government interests among others
He emphasized the need for technical and financial support to address these issues and maximise the industry’s potential.
“In 2024, Ghana’s orange production exceeded 425,000 metric tonnes. However, extreme wastage remains a challenge, preventing farmers from reaping full economic benefits,” Mr. Kloba said.
He said despite last year’s prolonged drought, they recorded a good harvest, however, many farmers have abandoned their farms in favour of more profitable crops.
He said this trend threatened the future of industry, making government intervention crucial.
The Association was established to unify orange growers nationwide and promote Ghanaian oranges globally.
Since its formation in 2020, the Association has grown from 273 members to over 3,700 in 2024, covering 12 districts and 82 rural communities.
“Our mission is to ensure quality production, introduce modern technologies, and secure long-term profitability for our farmers,” Mr. Kloba added.
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