Orange Growers Association Discusses Financing and Market Reforms with Ministry of Food and Agriculture

The Orange Growers Association (OGA) recently engaged in a pivotal meeting with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in Ghana’s citrus industry, which include financing issues, market inefficiencies, and the management of post-harvest waste. The discussions, held in Accra, brought together key stakeholders from the citrus sector, including farmers, processors, government representatives, and other industry players, all focused on finding practical solutions that would stabilize and grow the sector.

A major topic during the meeting was the lack of sufficient working capital for citrus farmers, which has hindered their ability to sustain and expand operations. Many farmers face long payment cycles from processors, leaving them struggling to stay afloat financially. Despite Ghana’s significant citrus production of 440,000 tons in 2024, only about 40 percent of the harvest was monetized, which leaves a large portion of the crop unutilized and farmers in financial distress. Theodore Tsidi Kloba, the Business Development Manager at OGA, expressed the gravity of the issue: “Our biggest challenge is liquidity. We do not have the working capital to wait 60 days for payments. Farmers need immediate financial support to keep their farms running.”

Kloba also pointed out that the current financial framework needs an overhaul, and the OGA intends to work closely with MoFA’s existing parastatals to find lasting solutions. Alongside the financial concerns, the meeting also highlighted the significant issue of citrus waste, which remains largely untapped. According to Kloba, this waste represents a potential market opportunity worth an estimated US$100 million, with possibilities for its use in animal feed, biofertilizers, and essential oil extraction. “Right now, we are throwing away what could be a major revenue stream,” he explained. “If we invest in citrus waste processing, we can generate additional income for farmers while reducing environmental damage.”

A key part of the solution discussed was utilizing black soldier fly farming, where citrus waste could be transformed into protein-rich feed for livestock. This approach could offer an innovative way to add value to what would otherwise be discarded. Kloba emphasized the importance of reframing waste as a business opportunity: “We need to stop seeing waste as a burden and start seeing it as a business opportunity,” he stated. This approach could not only provide farmers with extra income but also create a sustainable business model for waste processing that benefits the environment and the economy.

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, responded to these concerns by outlining several potential interventions designed to support the citrus sector. He recognized the challenges faced by farmers, especially the liquidity issues that hinder their ability to meet operational demands. Opoku reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming the citrus sector into a significant economic pillar for Ghana, noting that the sector has the potential to rival some of the country’s traditional staples in terms of production volume. “The citrus sector represents one of our most promising agricultural frontiers. This government recognizes that unlocking its full potential requires addressing the liquidity challenges faced by our farmers and processors,” he said.

Kwasi Etu Bonde, the Technical Director at MoFA, further reassured the stakeholders that the Ministry is already revisiting its framework to provide the necessary support for the citrus industry. The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to pursue various financial interventions, including the establishment of a structured revolving fund for citrus farmers to help alleviate liquidity constraints.

In addition to addressing financial challenges, the meeting saw broad agreement on developing a waste-to-value strategy that would harness citrus waste for the production of livestock feed, fertilizers, and citrus oil. This strategy aims to create a sustainable, multi-faceted citrus value chain that integrates various industries, while reducing waste and improving efficiency. There was also a call for increased collaboration with other key stakeholders, including policymakers, financial institutions, and private investors, to ensure a thriving and sustainable citrus industry in Ghana.

“This is a defining moment for Ghana’s citrus industry,” Kloba concluded. “With the right financial and policy interventions, we can transform citrus farming into a high-value agribusiness sector that will benefit not only the farmers but the entire economy.”