An increased levy payment could spell benefits in terms of research for South African citrus growers.
The board of the Citrus Growers Association’s move to increase levy payments to 32 cents per 15kg carton has now been approved and has taken effect.
The extra money will be used to expand the CGA’s work on research and marketing and also provide funding for transformation activities, which will see the encouragement of black growers and training at all levels across the industry.
On the research side, growers had previously expressed concern over the lack of transfer of technology from research institutions to the growers themselves.
The new money will be used to improve communication links to keep growers abreast of new developments.
The CGA said the levy would also be used to ensure the citrus industry has a range of markets for its export produce, and in particular build on work already done to open up the Chinese market.
