Processors' perception of some palm oil processing technologies in the Central Region of Ghana

Abstract

This research was designed to find out about palm oil processors perception of the technologies being used in the Central region of Ghana. The major variables of the study were the types of technology being ,adopted, extent of training provided, the relative advantage in terms of ease of use and maintenance of equipment, durability, effectiveness, appropriateness as well as the relative economic advantages. Constraints to palm oil production were also assessed, and an examination of associations between the variables or the study was performed. Three categories of palm oil processing technologies were found to be adopted in the central region as follows: 1. The indigenous technology, which involved the use of mortar and pestle with or without screw press. 2 Motorised palm digester used with a screw press and 3. Motorised digester-hydraulic press, which was the most technologically advanced of the three. Adoption of these technologies was on-going although some processors, for various reasons expressed some dissatisfaction and indicated the desire 10 stop adopting. With the exception of the use of digester-hydraulic press extension training was virtually absent for all processors. Training needs (A processors were observed to be marketing, improved methods of processing as well as the operation and maintenance of equipment. Processors also expressed desire for. some skills in the detection and handling of faults on equipment. The mortar and pestle technology was perceived to be the easiest to use and maintain and also the most appropriate. It was however perceived to be the least effective among the three technologies. The most effective equipment was the digester-hydraulic press, although it was perceived to be slightly less easy to use and maintain than the other equipment. The major constraints facing the palm oil enterprise were insufficient credit, expensive equipment and raw materials for processing and limited market. Significant differences existed among the three technologies in terms of maintenance, effectiveness, appropriateness, availability of training labour use and economic advantages. In addition, significant associations were observed among the following variables of the study: Ease of use, ease of maintenance, effectiveness, availability of training, labour and time required for processing of a given quantity of palm oil. Among the recommendations offered are: Improvement in agricultural extension training for women III palm oil processing. Formation of co-operative groups of palm oil processors to enable them obtain such benefits as credit, procurement of equipment and means of marketing their products. The development and dissemination of equipment for the separation of pulp kernel and fibre in order to reduce the labour requirement of this activity that often times is provided by children.