Nigeria needs 8 million hectares of farmland and a minimum of 24 million full-time workers to close the annual deficit of citrus juice, estimated at 414 million liters.

Despite all the factors of production, the country cannot meet its domestic demand for citrus juices, said Dr. Adeoye Afolayan, director of research and development at the National Institute for Horticultural Research (NIHORT).

Annual national production is estimated at 135 million liters of citrus juice, and annual demand is 550 million liters. The citrus family in Nigeria includes oranges, tangerines and grapefruits.

“Nigeria currently produces 3.4 million metric tons of citrus fruits from 3 million hectares of land. Of the 3.4 million tons, 135 million liters of juice will be produced, but the current demand in the country is 550 million metric liters of juice, ”said Dr. Adeoye Afolayan.

The scientist also said that to reduce the deficit in the next three years, at least 8 million hectares of citrus fruit will be required. According to his estimates, at least three workers are needed per hectare of citrus fruits and, thus, only growing citrus fruits in new areas can create over 24 million jobs.