The socio-economic impact of mitigating the challenges at the artisanal palm oil mills in Ghana

Abstract

There has been tremendous demand for palm oil globally due to it varied used in the food, biofuel, and oleochemicals. Ghana is a net importer of palm oil despite producing some best yielding varieties. This is ascribed to operation of palm oil artisanal mills, which account for close to 80% of palm oil production. Artisans are bedeviled with enormous challenges in their processing activities but possess the key of increasing palm oil production by 6%, which is translated into 210,800 tons per annum. This review, being mindful of net importation reduction, focused on the efforts in addressing some of challenges at the artisanal mills in Ghana to achieving some sustainable development goals (SDGs) and placing emphasis on the social-economic impact. An average free fatty acid and oil extraction ratio for Ghana was 15.55% and 9.55%, respectively. This paper revealed that through policy, research and extension service most of these challenges could be mitigated. Top among the challenge facing artisans were oil extraction ratio and quality of oil production, which demonstrated a positive correlation with a better access to premium market and working conditions, an increase in income and purchasing power, achieving food and energy security and prevention of ecosystem depletion