Institutional change and the quality of palm oil: an analysis of the artisanal processing sector in Ghana

Charity Osei-Amponsah, Tjeerd Jan Stomph, Leontine Visser, Owuraku Sakyi-Dawson, Samuel Adjei-Nsiah, Paul C. Struik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In Ghana, most oil palm fruits are produced by smallholders and processed by female artisanal processors. However, the ensuing crude palm oil (CPO) is high in free fatty acids and therefore cannot be sold in remunerative local or export markets. An earlier diagnostic study indicated that two main factors cause the poor quality: the processing practice of leaving harvested fruits unprocessed for up to 21 days and the use of lorry tyres as fuel to cook the fruits. Furthermore, the tyre-burning practice affects the health of people working and living around the processing facilities. This study describes the effect of action research undertaken with processors and the creation of a stakeholder platform in which Chiefs, the District Assembly, and a Concertation and Innovation Group collaborated to address the issues. The emerging institutional changes are assessed against baseline information. Awareness was raised about the dangers of tyre-burning, and CPO quality was improved by establishing the optimal time to leave fruits before processing. However, the prevailing market circumstances led producers to opt to produce greater quantities of oil rather than better-quality oil.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)233-247
Number of pages15
JournalInternational Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2014

Keywords

  • Ghana
  • Kwaebibirem District
  • innovations
  • institutional entrepreneur
  • interactions
  • stakeholders' platform

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