MASHAV supports citrus farmers with technical training

A four-day workshop designed for over 50 citrus farmers and staff of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to empower them in citrus production and organised by MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, in partnership with GIZ, the German Society for International Cooperation has ended in Cape Coast.

Two Israeli experts, Dr. Shmuel Gross (Entomologist) and Mr. Dov Rabber (Agronomist and Fertigation expert) who taught the course challenged the participating farmers and extension workers to lead the change in the advancement of citrus production in Ghana, by implementing new strategies learned during the course in their own day to day practices as well as transferring knowledge gained to colleagues farmers.

Topics covered during the training include required conditions for citrus growth, citrus varieties, factors militating against citrus production, citrus irrigation, citrus nutrition, increasing yield, among others. As part of the workshop, participants had the opportunity to participate in hands on training at one of the nine demonstration fields which were created as part of the cooperation.

A second course is currently being held in Kumasi for citrus farmers in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions. The training is a joint partnership between Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), MASHAV, Israel’s International Agency and GIZ, the German Society for International Cooperation intended to build the capacity of the farmers through the transfer of technological know-how to improve citrus productivity in Ghana.

The Trilateral Cooperation Agreement signed in 2010, supports research activities and has the aim of supporting the development of a thriving citrus industry in Ghana. This falls in line with MoFA’s policy to enhance productivity for increased income and improve livelihoods through the adoption of scientifically proven technologies and best practices in citrus production