CSIR-SARI Trains 30 in Modern Soybean Oil Production
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) has successfully trained 30 small-scale agro-processors in modern soybean oil extraction techniques under the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation Phase II (TAAT II) project.
The training, part of the Soybean Compact funded by the African Development Bank and coordinated by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), aims to strengthen the soybean value chain in northern Ghana. By equipping local processors with improved skills, the project seeks to enhance processing efficiency, product quality, and market competitiveness. Participants included representatives from small enterprises, farmer-based organizations, and youth-led agribusinesses across the Northern Region.
During the practical sessions, trainees were taught modern oil extraction processes such as cleaning, roasting, milling, pressing, clarification, and safe storage. Emphasis was placed on improving recovery rates, maintaining hygiene standards, implementing quality control measures, and performing basic equipment maintenance. These skills are intended to help small-scale processors meet the standards required by urban markets and organized buyers.
Charles Nelimor, Project Coordinator for the TAAT Soybean Compact, highlighted that many small processors still rely on traditional methods, which often yield low oil quantities and inconsistent quality. “The improved techniques are designed to reduce losses, enhance efficiency, and improve profitability,” he said.
Dr. Desmond Sunday Adogoba, a socio-economics expert at CSIR-SARI, described soybean as a strategic crop for northern Ghana due to its adaptability and multifaceted economic potential. He explained that while soybean production has grown in recent years, value addition remains limited, preventing farmers and processors from fully benefiting from the crop.
He added that mastering these techniques will enable participants to produce high-quality soybean oil for both household and commercial use. Additionally, soybean cake, a by-product of oil extraction, can be sold as animal feed, creating a new income stream for processors.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to promote agribusiness development, generate employment, and reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported edible oils. Participants expressed enthusiasm for the hands-on training, noting that it would help them improve product consistency, minimize waste, and enhance their competitiveness in the growing soybean sector.
This project reflects a continued commitment to empowering small-scale agro-processors, strengthening local value chains, and boosting the economic benefits of soybean cultivation in Ghana.
