Sustainable Orange Farming with DAF-Islands in Ghana

RegionAfrica
FocusDAF Island, Restoration of Land, Productivity
Main cropOrange
Duration2022 - 2025
ByECOTOP Suisse
Tags

Enhancing Citrus Farms with Agroforestry to Boost Productivity and Soil Health

A collaboration with Jägermeister and FiBL to promote sustainable orange farming, improve soil health, and support Ghana’s citrus supply chain.

Commissioned by Jägermeister Germany and in collaboration with FiBL Switzerland and Bothapraku, Ecotop Suisse is providing expertise and technical support to enhance orange production in Ghana. 

The project aims to promote the adoption of Dynamic Agroforestry (DAF) practices in orange production. Ecotop will establish learning and demonstration plots to showcase the benefits and techniques of DAF, serving as practical examples for farmers. Additionally, Ecotop will guide farmers in transitioning to DAF.

Dynamic Agroforestry (DAF) Islands for Diversification

DAF Islands introduce a diverse mix of plant species into existing and already established citrus plantations. This gradual transformation strategy enables farmers to diversify their farms over time while maintaining ongoing production, as not a new system is set-up.

Each island is designed with a successional planting approach, incorporating:

  • Early succession species such as pigeon pea, Bixa orellana (annatto), cassava, and nitrogen-fixing cover crops, which provide biomass, soil cover, and fertility in the initial years.
  • Mid- and late-succession species, including coffee, timber trees, and mother trees, which establish the farm’s long-term structure and productivity.

By mimicking natural forest dynamics, DAF Islands enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and strengthen farm resilience to droughts and climate variability.

Diversified Agroforestry Systems

Beyond DAF Islands, we implement DAF systems that integrate a stratified mix of fruit trees, biomass-producing species, and high-value crops such as citrus, cocoa, and coffee. These systems:

  • Regenerate soil health by increasing organic matter and improving water retention.
  • Optimize productivity through better light management (maximization of photosynthesis) and nutrient cycling.
  • Reduce dependency on external inputs.

Training and Knowledge Transfer

ECOTOP provides hands-on training in tree pruning, biomass management, and agroforestry design to plantation workers, farmers, and technical staff. By strengthening local expertise, we ensure long-term adoption and successful implementation of DAF Islands

Impact and Future Expansion

  • Over 90 agroforestry plots established.
  • Higher citrus and cocoa yields compared to conventional systems.
  • Expansion of DAF Islands into both commercial and smallholder farms.
  • Scaling regenerative agriculture for long-term farm resilience.

Our collaboration with Jägermeister, FIBL, and local partners proves that sustainability and profitability go hand in hand. By working with nature, we are shaping the future of resilient and productive agriculture.

Join us in transforming farming systems with DAF Islands for a climate-resilient future!

This project aligns with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

Project Partners

Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau (FiBL)

The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) is a world-leading institute in organic agriculture, founded in Switzerland in 1973. With locations in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, and Brussels, FiBL focuses...
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Bothapraku

Bothapraku Company Limited is a Ghanaian enterprise specializing in the cultivation and export of fresh and sun-dried organic citrus products. Established in 2012 and headquartered in Adenta, Accra, the company...
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