POST GRADUATE PROGRAM DIRECTORATE

Collage of Agriculture and Environmental Science

Department of plant Science

Horticulture program

Term Pepper on Fruit Crops Production and Improvement (PHLO-5)

Title: Citrus Crop Production Challenges and Opportunities

In Ethiopia
Compiled by: Hayu Hassen (Msc. Horticulture Program Student)

ID No: Pgp/395/13

Submitted to: Prof. Kebede W/Tsadik

HARAMAYA, ETHIOPIA

MAY, 2021
 Table of Contents
Table of Contents............................................................................................................I
Abstract..........................................................................................................................II
1. Introduction................................................................................................................1
2. Opportunities for citrus Production in Ethiopia.........................................................3
2.1. Various Adaptable Agro-ecology......................................................................3
2.2. Available ground and surface water resources for irrigation............................3
2.3. Available and cheap Labour force....................................................................4
2.4. Availabity, Assesibilty and Proximity to Market..............................................4
2.5. Incentive or Exemption of tax..........................................................................5
3. Major Challenges of Citrus Production in Ethiopia...................................................5
3.2 Lack of Sufficient and appropriate use of Irrigation Scheme...........................6
3.3 Lack of Certified seed.......................................................................................6
3.4 Lack of improved disease free planting materials (Rootstock and Scion)........7
3.5 Lack of improved Pre and Post harvest technology..........................................7
3.6 Lack of infrastructure for transporting produce................................................8
4. Conclusion.................................................................................................................8
5. Bibliography...............................................................................................................8

Abstract
Citrus (Citrus sinensis L.) is a high value crop grown in the tropical and subtropical
regions of the world which is currently cultivated in more than 130 countries with

I
Brazil, China and the USA being the biggest producers. Citrus is the largest genus in the
family Rutaceae and is the most traded horticultural product which containing 130 genera with

several important varieties in the world. Many Citrus fruits Taxonomic identification is difficult

because there are many spontaneous and commercial hybrids, but citrus can be generally classified

into: sweet oranges, mandarins, tangerines, and clementines, sour/bitter oranges, lemons, limes,

grapefruit and pummelos, hybrids (e.g., tangelos, tangors, and limequats), and citrons. Ethiopia

has a comparative advantage in a number of horticultural commodities due to its

favorable climate. The total area and production is decreased nearly 20 years due to;
disease Incidence, insects and nematodes problem, due to poor quality delivered onto
the market, which is mainly due to lack of improved production practices and
technology transfer. Generally, We conclude that Ethiopia has sufficient plenty water
resources, enough and lesscost of labors, adaptable conducive agro-ecology and
enough land for Citrus production, and Incentive investment policy; for Citrus
Production. Although we have plenty resources and any other opportunities in our
country Ethiopia; there is many many problems which phases Citrus production and
cause Extreme reduction in production. Those problems are decrease the Export
quality and even the consumers appeal in local market. The major Challenges for
Citrus production in ethiopia are challenges are; disease, insect (in many orchards
and Nursery) and Nematote problems, less managment practices in orchard and
nursery, poor quality of planting materials, poor pre and postharvest technology we
use.

Key words; available water resources, disease and insect problem incidence, postharvest losses,

II
 1. Introduction
Citrus is claimed to have originated in South China and the Cathaysian ancient continent including

Sichuan, Kangdian, south of the Yangtze River, and Indo-China peninsula, then dispersed into

India, Africa, and Australia (Srivastava A.K. et al., 2008). Citrus is an evergreen aromatic shrub or

small trees native to South-East Asia China and India, but now cultivated in subtropical and

temperate region all over the world; Around 70% of the world’s total citrus production is grown in

the Northern Hemisphere, in particular, Mediterranean region and the United States, although

Brazil and South Africa in Southern Hemisphere (Waleed F.A. 2019). Citrus (Citrus sinensis

L.) is a high value crop grown in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
Currently, citrus is cultivated in more than 130 countries with Brazil, China and the
USA being the biggest producers and Spain, USA and South Africa the most
important exporters(Srivastava A.K. et al., 2008).
Citrus is the largest genus in the family Rutaceae and is the most traded horticultural product

which containing 130 genera with several important varieties in the world (Turner T. and Burri

B.J., 2013). Many Citrus fruits Taxonomic identification is difficult because there are many

spontaneous and commercial hybrids, but citrus can be generally classified into the following

categories: sweet oranges (most are C. sinensis but also includes blood and acidless oranges),

mandarins (such as Satsuma (C. unshi), tangerines (C. tangerina, and reticulata), and clementines

(C. clementine)), sour/bitter oranges (such as Seville, C. aurantium), lemons (C. limon), limes (C.

aurantifolia and latifolia), grapefruit (C. paradisi) and pummelos (C. grandis), hybrids (e.g.,

tangelos, tangors, and limequats), and citrons (C. medica, which has a rind that is used primarily

for confectionary and is only commercially grown in limited areas) (Turner T. and Burri B.J.,

2013).

Citrus (Citrus spp.) is one of the most economically important fruit crops grown by
smallholders and commercial farmers in Ethiopia (Mohammed Y. 2013). Ethiopia is a
relative small newcomer in citrus trade and had been known to export citrus from the
1960’s to the Middle East and Western Europe. However, The total area and
production is decreased nearly 20 years due to different reasons; due to disease,

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insects and nematodes, due to poor quality delivered onto the market, which is mainly
due to lack of improved production practices and technology transfer has hampered
industry growth (Sissay B. M. et al., 2007 and Asmare D., et al., 2014). The annual
production of citrus were estimated 5,947 ha and 77,087 tons, respectively (CSA,
2011 and 2012).
Different Citrus Crops can be produced in many parts of Ethiopia mostly in Awash
Valley; Sweet orange cultivation covers 82% (1732.51 ha) of the total citrus area
surveyed in the country. Of these, Government ownership represented 97% of citrus
farms cultivated. Upper Awash Agro Industry Enterprise owned the largest area under
production and was the major marketing company in the country (78805 tonnes/year)
(Sissay B. M. et al., 2007).
Different varieties of sweet oranges [Valencia (35.8%), Washington navel (23.9%),
Hamlin (19.4%), Pineapple (7.5%), Shamuti (4.5%), Jaffa (1.5%), Robbins blood
(1.5%), and other unknown cultivars (5.9%)] were described in Ethiopia. Valencia
was identified as the dominant variety followed by Washington navel and Hamlin.
More than 70% of the total citrus area surveyed constituted old orchards (>20 years of
age) and the rest represented areas with younger plantings (<20 years of age) of
Valencia cultivars. However, there no any data about the introduction history of Scion
and roostock and more than 84% of the respondents didn’t have available information
(Asmare D., et al., 2014). The lack of information in this regard complicated
management and breeding programs aimed at improving citrus production (Sissay B.
M. et al., 2007).
Agro-meteorologically, citrus is grown under tropical and subtropical arid or humid climates with

hot days/cool nights and little exposure to prolonged freezing temperature or relatively free from

frost (Srivastava A.K. et al., 2008). Different citrus species and varieties are cultivated in

the country.
This paper reviews and asses Major Opportunities and Challenges of Citrus Crops
production in Ethiopia.

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2. Opportunities for citrus Production in Ethiopia
Ethiopia has a comparative advantage in a number of horticultural commodities due to
its favorable climate, proximity to European and Middle Eastern markets and cheap
labor. However, the production of horticultural crops including citrus is much less
developed than the production of food grains in the country (Ethiopian Investment
Agency 2012 ).

2.1. Various Adaptable Agro-ecology

Ethiopia has diverse climate and altitude conditions which are conducive to various
agricultural activities (Ethiopian Investment Agency 2012 ). Citrus is grown under tropical
and subtropical arid or humid climates with hot days/cool nights and little exposure to prolonged

freezing temperature (Srivastava A.K. et al., 2008). It can be grown in area with mean minimum
temperatures ranged from 10°C at Nura Era in the central rift valley to 21°C at Lado
around Lake Abaya in the south. Similarly, the mean maximum temperatures varied
from 21°C at Bikolo in the northwest to 37.5°C at Nura Era. The optimum
temperature to induce flowering in citrus is between 13°C and 24°C with a tolerance
range of ±3°C (Asmare D., et al., 2014). The major citrus producing areas have long
growing seasons with low precipitation, but most of them are with river, lake or
ground water supply. However, the period of the rainy season and the precipitation
intensity and distribution vary from area to area. The mean annual rainfalls of the
main citrus producing areas were between 316 mm and 500 mm, which necessitates
the application of supplementary irrigation water. Long rainy season can increase
disease susceptibikty of the plant type and the main causative agent of Pre-mature
fruit drop(Sisay M.K.. et al., 2007).

2.2. Available ground and surface water resources for irrigation

Citrus Consumes high irrigation water than Rain fed within this Ethiopia has diverse
climate and altitude conditions which are conducive for growing of various citrus crop
type. There are several lakes and perennial rivers that have great potentials for
irrigated agriculture. The groundwater potential of the country is about 2.6 billion

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cubic meters. Groundwater in the country is generally of good quality and it is
frequently used to supply homes and farmsteads. The potentially irrigable land area of
the country is estimated at 10 million hectares, out of which only about 1% is
currently under irrigation (Ethiopian Investment Agency 2012). Although Ethiopia
has huge run-off and ground water potential, it utilizes a small portion of these
resources. A large number of rivers flowing on either side of the rift valley form a
drainage network that covers most of the country. Most of the rivers that carry the
water resources, however, end up in neighboring countries hence making them
international or Trans boundary Rivers(Nimona Fufa 2020).

2.3. Available and cheap Labour force

Labor is an important factor of agricultural production. Smallholder farmers rely on
family labor for land preparation, planting, cultivation, weeding, irrigation, fertilizer
application, pesticides application, harvesting and transporting of the product. This
system is useful to accomplish a given farm activity in a limited timeframe to ensure
uniform planting, plant growth and maturity. Different citrus plant produced require
different amount of labor inputs (Bezabih E. and Hadera G. 2007).

2.4. Availabity, Assesibilty and Proximity to Market

As transportation of citrus fruits is similar to transportation of water, production of
these commodities for export markets erodes Ethiopia’s competitive advantage in
comparison with the market leaders who are competing on sea rather than inland
freight, given their geographic location. For Ethiopia, therefore, opportunities mainly
exist in commercial production of fruits for the domestic market (Ethiopian
Investment Agency 2012). In Ethiopia, fruit processing is limited mainly to extraction
of fresh juice which is sold on the local market. The Merti processing factory is the
only plant producing fruit juice for the local market. At present, a range of fruit juices
are imported into the country. The demand for fruit juices on the local market is high
as indicated by the volume of imports. This is a strong indication of the existence of
investment opportunities.

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2.5. Incentive or Exemption of tax
Ethiopian government declare that to encourage private investment, and the package
of incentives under Regulations No.84/2003 for investors engaged in new enterprises
and expansions, across a range of sectors. These incentives are available both to
foreign and domestic investors and the said Regulations doesn’t discriminate between
a foreign and domestic investor or between foreign investors of different nationalities
(Ethiopian Investment Agency 2012 ).

3. Major Challenges of Citrus Production in Ethiopia

The agricultural productivity is low due to use of low level of improved agricultural
technologies, risks associated with weather conditions, diseases and pests, etc.
Moreover, due to the ever increasing population pressure, the land holding per
household is declining leading to low level of production to meet the consumption
requirement of the households (Bezabih E. And Hadera G. 2007). The total area and
production is decreased nearly 20 years due to different reasons; due to disease
Incidence, insects and nematodes, due to poor quality delivered onto the market,
which is mainly due to lack of improved production practices and technology transfer
has hampered industry growth (Sissay B. M. et al., 2007; Asmare D., et al., 2014).
3.1 Disease, insect and Nematodes Problem
There are many different challenges that our country phases for Many citrus crops
production in Ethiopia, Although it has high ecenomic value and increase in demand.
The Production of citrus trees have been afflicted due to different diseases incited by
many fungi, bacteria, viruses and virus-like organisms. Viruses and virus-like diseases
including; psorosis, tristeza and greening in both nursery and orchards can be the
critical issue which cuase extinction of the the Species in many parts of Ethiopia
(Asmare D., et al., 2014). Citrus trees at Fetuli, Hurso, Tony, Nura Era, Merti,
Abadeshka-Jeju, Melkassa, Ethioflora, Shewarobit and Gibe orchards were attacked
by several diseases caused by plant pathogens such as Phytophthora (primarily on
sweet oranges and mandarins), citrus anthracnose (on mandarins) and bacterial canker
(on acid limes). Symptoms of lichens (fungus and algae that grow together) on leaves

5
and stems of most citrus trees at Bebeka and Ginbo, melanose at Gibe and Lado,
sooty mold at Melkassa and Lado, and fruit rots at Melkassa and Tony citrus orchards
were recorded during the survey. The problem of nematodes was seen only at Tony
farm (Sissay B. M. et al., 2007).

3.2 Lack of Sufficient and appropriate use of Irrigation Scheme

Another Major Problems next to disease which cause suffering citrus production loss
in Ethiopia are Irrigation schedule; amount, frequency and methods (basin), rising
salinity concerns, Irregular irrigation causes physiological problems, such as fruit
drop, craking, granulation, puffiness, and less juicyness. Rising salinity problem in
most of the Awash basin farms could be related with inappropriate irrigation schemes.
As Moisture is a limiting factor for good quality citrus production. The annual rainfall
recorded on citrus farms in Ethiopia is range between 25-350 mm. In almost all citrus
producing farms in Ethiopia, use the surrounding rivers for irrigation purposes.
Except Tisabalima and Bati (Kerssa) where irrigation schedules were reported to be
twice per week, the rate of surface water application to the rest of the farms averaged
twice per month (1.5l/sec). Application of surface water at longer intervals creates
moisture stress during early spring while the tree is at the flowering stage (Directorate
Communication National Department of Agriculture, 2000). This could result in
excessive drop of flowers and fruit-lets, and result in a smaller crop with fruit having
a more acidic taste. Drought followed by good rains could produce out-of season
flowering and fruit setting (Sissay B. M. et al., 2007).

3.3 Lack of Certified seed

Consumers expect extra (internal) quality from organic products and are ready to pay
a premium price for it. In order to make this premium quality credible, it has to be
certified by an independant organism that acces market condition. In developing
countireis it is a big challange to fullfill the quality requirements and to handle the
certification issues. Moreover, certification is a considerable cost factor.(Kilcher L.,
2005). In Ethiopia there is no any data about the introduction history of Scion and
roostock and more than 84% of the respondents didn’t have available information

6
(Asmare D., et al., 2014). The lack of information in this regard complicated
management and breeding programs aimed at improving citrus production. This cause
poor sertifeid crops to produced in Ethiopia (Sissay B. M. et al., 2007).

3.4 Lack of improved disease free planting materials (Rootstock and Scion)
The most important determinant of fruit production and quality under the grower’s
control is cultivar selection. Under comparable conditions, Hamlin orange always has
poorer juice color and lower TSS than Midsweet or Valencia orange. On the other
hand, Hamlin produces higher, more consistent yields per acre than any other sweet
orange cultivar. Worldwide, Valencia produces premium quality fruit with excellent
internal quality, high sugars, superior flavor and deep orange juice color at maturity
(Zekri Mong 2011). Most of the citrus cultivars result from the selection of
spontaneous bud mutations identifi ed in production orchards. Fruit quality (size,
color, seedlessness) and the extension of the harvest season are the main selection
objectives. The majority of the rootstocks used for propagation are original species or
ancient natural hybrids. This is the case of P.trifoliata, C. macrophylla, Rangpur lime,
Cleopatra mandarin, Sunki mandarin, sour orange, Volkamer lemon, and Rough
lemon (Badenes M.L.and Byrne D.H.2012). Deformation and scion-rootstock
incompatibility were observed at Ethioflora and Dejen (Kurar) citrus orchards.
Although there were no soil and tissue analyses, salinity problem was suspected at
Ziway orchard. Nutrient imbalance symptoms, mainly deficiency of trace elements
were observed in many of the orchards surveyed (65.3%), especially in farms owned
by smallholder farmers and by the state and using of poor quality and disease attacked
scion and rootstock plant decrease the diease resistance and production recently in
Ethiopia (Asmare D., et al., 2014).In some countries organic farming still does not yet
get enough support form research and extension(Kilcher L., 2005).

3.5 Lack of improved Pre and Post harvest technology

Traditionally, in all citrus farms, fruit is harvested manually by hand picking, tree
shaking, long-stick pulling and dropping to the ground. The wet rainy seasons were
reported to favor the development of high disease pressure and increase preharvest

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fruit loss of citrus (Seifu, 2003; Sissay B. M. et al., 2007). Although citrus is
harvested year round in Ethiopia, the peak harvesting seasons are form June to
December at UAAIE and from April to August in other farms. Human labour and
open private trucks are the major method of fruit transportation in almost all farms.
Etfruit trucks with cooling unit facilities maintained at 4-7 °C were used at UAAIE
and HDE farms to transport fruit to Addis Ababa markets. Once harvested, fruits are
stored temporarily at room temperature (18-25 ºC) for about two weeks in untidy
storage houses in Addis Ababa without air conditioner or other cooling facilities
(Sissay B. M. et al., 2007).

4. Conclusion
We conclude that Ethiopia has sufficient plenty water resources (for using as any type
of irrigation scheme), enough and lesscost of labors for different management
practices, adaptable conducive agro-ecology and enough land for Citrus productin,
and Incentive investment policy; for farmers who wants to invest on Citrus
Production. This shows capacity for production in of different citrus crops in different
part of our country. Because most of citrus fruits are tropical crop they are mainly
produced in ethiopian Riftvalley (Awash, merti, Bebeka jeju, babbile, melkasa...so
on).
Although we have plenty resources and any other opportunities in our country
Ethiopia; there is many many problems which phases Citrus production and cause
Extreme reduction in production. Those problems are decrease the Export quality and
even the consumers appeal in local market. These challenges are; disease, insect( in
many orchards and Nursery) and Nematote problems, less managment practices in
orchard and nursery, poor quality of planting materials, poor pre and postharvest
technology we use, lack of Certified planting in the country, Skill gap in production,
less involvement of national research institute for issues related to Citrus production
and absence of infrustructure for transporting produce are the main challenges which
reduce and comes to extiniction of high value citrus crop in Ethiopia.

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5. Bibliography
Asmare D., Derbew B., Belayneh A., and Mohammed Y.,(2014).Citrus Production,
Constraints and Management Practices in Ethiopia: The Case of
Pseudocercospora Leaf and Fruit Spot Disease. Science, Technology
and Arts Research Journal Sci. Technol. Arts Res. J., April-June 2014,
3(2): 04-18: http://www.starjournal.org/C DOI: ISSN: 2226-
7522(Print) http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/star.v3i2.2
Badenes M.L.and Byrne D.H. (2012). Fruit Breeding, Handbook of Plant Breeding 8,
623 DOI 10.1007/978-1-4419-0763-9_16 Springer Science+Business
Media, LLC
Bezabih Emana and Hadera Gebremedhin (2007). Constraints and Opportunities of
Horticulture Production and Marketing in Eastern Ethiopia. DCG
Report No. 46 February 2007 9b N-0159 Oslo Norway ISSN: 1503-
0601 Internet: http://www.drylands-group.org.
Kilcher L., (2005). Organic Citrus: Challenges in Production and Trade By ,
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Switzerland.
Mekbib S B. (2007). Identification of citrus (Citrus sinensis) postharvest pathogens
from Ethiopia and their control. PhD Thesis, University of Pretoria,
South Africa.
Mohammed Yesuf. (2013). Pseudocercospora leaf and fruit spot disease of citrus:
achievements and challenges in the citrus industry: A review.
Agricultural Sciences 4(7):324-328.
Nimona Fufa (2020). Opportunity, Problems and Production Status of Vegetables in
Ethiopia: A Review Research Article in Plant Science.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339446181
Sissay B. Mekbib, Thierry J.C. Regnier and Lise Korsten. (2007). Citrus (Citrus
sinensis) disease survey: knowledge, attitude and management
practices in Ethiopia. Submitted to Journal of Tropical Research,
University of Pretoria. Department of Microbiology and Plant

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 Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002,
Srivastava A.K, Singh S. and Albrigo L.G. (2008). Diagnosis and Remedation of Nutrient in

Citrus Horticultural Reviews Vol.34. edited by Jules janick. John wiley and Sons

Inc. Shankar Naga P.O. Maharashtra, India.

Turner T. and Burri B.J. (2013). Potential Nutritional Benefits of current Citrus Consumption.

Journal of agricultural review. 3:170-187 doi;10.33901.ISSN 2077-0472.

Waleed Fouad Abobatta (2019). Nutritional Benefits of Citrus Fruits. Am J Biomed Sci & Res.

2019 - 3(4). AJBSR.MS.ID.000681. DOI: 10.34297/AJBSR.2019.03.000681

Zekri Mong (2011). Factors affecting citrus production and quality. Citrus Industry;
Column sponsored by the Florida Department of Citrus P.O. Box 9010,
Bartow, FL 33831-9010

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