Biofuel Production in Promoting Sustainable Land Management

Turning degraded community lands into fertile biofuel production sites
Green Technologies
Accra
Ghana

The Tema Cooperative Sunflowers Association (TCSA) is a multi-integrated model for rehabilitation of degraded community lands through the cultivation and processing of sunflower into oil and biodiesel. The biodiesel is used to power tractors, machines and lanterns and the cake from the sunflower oil is used for feeding and fertilizing. The initiative is based on clear and tested strategies that will help the indigenous farmers’ cooperative to metamorphose into a medium-size enterprise that will be the sole controller of the sunflower industry in the country with many players involved at different production levels. A detailed business and financial plan is in place. 

Eco-Inclusive Impacts
This initiative provides training on new production methods of sunflower oil and biodiesel through which it empowers the local community and reduces pollution.

  • Developing the farmer's skills in new production methods through training and capacity building activities. 

 

 

  • Promoting a sustainable life-cycle approach and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by using biofuels.
  • Reducing the use of chemical fertiliser by re-using the sunflower cake.
  • Creating income and jobs for producers. 
  • Increasing the value of primary agricultural produce.

 

Partners

“Biofuel Production in Promoting Sustainable Land Management”. A local NGO in partnership with national research institutions has established a model for rehabilitating degraded community lands, producing food crop and utilising renewable energy through the cultivation and processing of sunflower plants into oil and biodiesel. Their sustainable land management approach also includes bee-keeping.

Global Environment Facility/Small Grant Programme provides technical and financialsupport.

KNUST Chemical Engineering provides research into the production of biodiesel and quality control.

University of Ghana Crop Science Department provides expertise to the farmers on the cultivation of sunflowers.

Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) provides R&D support for the entire project.