For Ghana, smallholders palm oil area is approximately 290,000 hectares (81 percent of total area) and large-scale industrial estates is about 70,000 hectares (19 percent of total).
Who produces the most palm oil in Ghana?
Artisanal and small-scale palm oil producers occupy a greater share of Ghana’s palm oil processing industry, producing 60–80% of the country’s palm oil. However, the processing systems used by the palm oil producers are mainly the traditional metal cooking pots and steel tanks.
Why is palm oil important in Ghana?
Palm oil is the most important edible oil in Ghana and in the West Africa region. Palm oil and palm kernel represented 2% of total agricultural production value of Ghana in 2010 [ 2 ]. The processing of oil palm is a major source of income and employment to many women in the rural areas of the forest agroecological zone [ 3 ].
How many palm oil mills are there in Ghana?
MASDAR (2011) reports there were more than 1,200 small-scale processing mills in Ghana producing approximately 60 percent of the national palm oil output. Côte d’Ivoire has 16 large-scale mills competing with numerous small-scale (artisan) and medium-scale mills (AIPH, 2022).
Are small-scale palm oil processing mills causing environmental problems in Ghana?
The environmental impact of small-scale palm oil processing mills in Ghana has come under serious questioning, especially the disposal of wastewater generated from their operations.
Is Ghana a good place to grow palm oil?
The region is one of the most suitable areas for oil palm cultivation. Ghana is noted to be the third major palm oil producing country in Africa, and the sector plays an important role in rural livelihoods and local economic development.