THE CENTRAL Citrus Processing Limited (CCPL) is expected to commission one of the largest citrus processing plantsin the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District of the Central Region in the coming months.
The plant, which is billed to process over 15tons of oranges into fruit juice per hour, will benefit over 1,100 farmers.
The factory in partnership with Ekumfi Juices and Processing Factory is poised to place Ghana at the forefront for natural fruits and juices.
With the intervention of CCPL, the youth will secure employment through the mechanised community crop management services. The factory could process fruit from an average of 6000 acres per year into both juices and oils both meant for exports and local markets.
Last year, the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) partnered the OVCF with an aim to revamp the citrus industry.
Through such partnership, ADB gave financial support to the CCPL to develop and cultivate the over 3,000 acres of abandoned citrus farms located in the Central Region/Cape Coast.
It is estimated that the company will generate about GH¢250million annually.
Central Citrus Limited will be getting a direct off-take from the Ekumfi Fruits and Juices Factory to make sure their produce is used to blend the Eku tropical varieties to enhance their taste.
The enclave has over 75 thousand acres of citrus, and with the support from ADB, it will scale up economic activities sharply.
The average citrus farmers are said to have abandoned their farms because of poor revenue coupled with insect infestation and plant diseases, together with unproductive work processes which often hamper cultivation. Also, most of the seedlings are pest-ridden, making these useless for further planting.
Such frustration usually makes the farmers switch over to the cultivation of rubber and cassava.
For the past 10 years, most citrus farms have been abandoned, as the importation of finished products has outweighed the processing opportunities in the country.
ADB’s financial support is to help improve the quality of citrus production and increase sustainable income for all actors along the citrus value chain.
A business desk report