South Africa’s Citrus Growers Association launches US$16.5m industry transformation programme

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The South African Citrus Growers Association (CGA) has launched an Economic Transformation of Black Citrus Growers Programme worth US$16.5m, which is likely to generate over 1700 permanent and seasonal jobs in the industry.
The project is a partnership with several institutions and organisations, including the Jobs Fund, AgriSETA, Landbank and the Department of Agriculture and others.
The programme’s specific focus will be on farmers in regions such as Limpopo, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
“The creation of employment opportunities, especially in our rural areas, is an essential step on the road to economic recovery,” CGA CEO Justin Chadwick said.
Applicants must have a minimum of 60% black ownership of both assets and operations in order to be eligible for funding. Other parameters include:
  • Producing or packing citrus that is exported
  • Appropriate Management Structures
  • Relationships with external service providers
  • Human Resource Development Plans
  • Land tenure Security
  • Sufficient supply of water
To be implemented over a period of three years, the programme’s lead partners are CGA and Jobs Fund and Lima Rural Development is its programme manager.