Outcome workshop published
Based on the recommendations and conclusions from the workshop, PROTA has published ‘PROTA Recommends... 14: Vegetable oils of Tropical Africa’ in November 2008. Details
The Brainstorm Workshop
PROTA held the fourth Brainstorm Workshop, discussing recommendations from the handbook – this one focussed on PROTA 14: Vegetable oils and was voted a great success. The three-day event, held on 4-6 March 2008 in Entebbe, Uganda, was attended by twenty-three participants. They represented research institutions, universities, government, private sector, NGOs and farmers from thirteen African and European countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Malawi, Netherlands, Niger, Tanzania, South Africa, UK, Zimbabwe, and the host country Uganda.
workshop participants
The participants underscored the numerous economic and environmental attributes of plants producing vegetable oils in tropical Africa. Vegetable oils constitute an important portion of the daily dietary requirements providing energy, essential fatty acids and vitamins. Besides their nutritional importance, vegetable oils are also used in animal feeds, soap making, lamp oils, cosmetics, medicines, paints and varnishes, and biodiesel. The production of vegetable oils in tropical Africa currently stands at slightly over 4.0 million t, falling far short of the annual requirement of approximately 13 million t. Against this background the participants sought to recommend ways in which the potential of oil-yielding plants can be harnessed by small- and large-scale growers to meet African demands.
The overall goal of the workshop was to translate the information contained in the PROTA 14: Vegetable oils handbook volume into recommendations on candidate technologies, development gaps, thesis subjects, research gaps, conservation needs and policy measures for each of the 48 major species in the book. The most promising oil-producing species among these, both cultivated and wild, that should be urgently prioritised for research and development were identified. The workshop was a useful forum for sharing experiences and exploring opportunities for collaboration.
Sulemana Issah, of Tragrimacs, Sunflower Ghana, giving his presentation
Filling the knowledge gaps
One of the major obstacles facing producers in Africa is the transfer of appropriate technologies and innovations with which to exploit oil plants. Some of the candidate technologies identified during the workshop with potential for maximising productivity of vegetable oils in Africa include the use of recommended agronomic practices and improved cultivars, processing and value addition, compliance to good agricultural practices, diversification, access to good planting materials and markets, promotion of biodiesel production focusing on non-edible oils and strengthened agricultural extension services.
Workshop participants identified important areas where researchers could expand the potential for vegetable oil crops in Africa. Research needs included ethnobotanical and taxonomic studies, domestication and germination trials, genetic improvement, cost-benefit analyses, post-harvest and extraction technologies. Ex situ and in situ conservation was highlighted for most species. Some of the policy measures recommended included support for research for development, support for germplasm exchange, market facilitation and the need for biofuel policy.
Geoffrey Mkamilo, an editor of the PROTA 14 handbook, raises a point
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