Akim Oda, March 18, GNA - A 10-billion-cedi citrus processing factory is to be established at Oda Nkwanta in the Birim South District under the Rural Enterprises Development Programme (REDP). Mr Yaw Amprofi, Birim District Chief Executive, said this at a stakeholders' forum held at Akim Oda on Friday to brief them on the project.

The REDP is programme designed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry to promote economic growth and development in the rural communities by facilitating processing of local raw materials. Mr Amprofi said the assembly had deposited 400 million cedis in the company's accounts and also resolved to pay additional funds to increase its share capital.

He said some strategic investors have also expressed interest to own shares in the project.

Mr Eric Owusu Mensah, the Project Facilitator, said a recent survey conducted by the district REDP showed that the district cultivated over 5,000 acres of citrus.

About 2,000 acres of land are still available for the cultivation of a new high-yielding variety of citrus.

Mr Owusu Mensah said the project, to be known as the Birim Citrus Processing Company, has a potential and appealed to the people to invest in it.