Innovation reduces inputs and drudgery for shea butter processors. Validated RNRRS Output.
Abstract
This is one of 280 summaries describing key outputs from the projects run by DFID's 10-year Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy (RNRRS) programmes.
Summary for Project title: R6631: Improved processing of shea nuts in northern Ghana.
A new press for extracting shea butter reduces processing time by more than a third, cuts water consumption drastically and eliminates the need for fuel wood. This is important for many rural women in northern Ghana who depend on shea butter for income. It represents a huge improvement over the traditional method of processing, which is extremely arduous and timeconsuming, and uses large quantities of scarce natural resources such as water and firewood. The press is operated manually with minimal effort, alleviating the drudgery associated with traditional processing techniques, and the extracted butter meets the quality specifications of major European buyers. The new technology has been transferred to 400 rural-based community groups in Uganda, benefiting 10,000 people.
The CD has the following information for this output: Description, Validation, Current Situation, Environmental Impact. Attached PDF (8 pp.) taken from the CD.
Citation
CPH36, New technologies, new processes, new policies: tried-and-tested and ready-to-use results from DFID-funded research, Research Into Use Programme, Aylesford, Kent, UK, ISBN 978-0-9552595-6-2, p 109.