Network for the Valorization of Plant Materials (VPMA)

Création de petites entreprises (Togo/Bénin/Ghana)
(92-1350)

Principal investigators: 
Dr. Koumaglo Kossi Honoré: Université du Bénin, Lomé (Togo) 
E-mail: [email protected] 
Dr. Moudachirou Mansour: Université nationale du Bénin, Cotonu (Bénin) 
E-mail: [email protected] 
Prof. Ivan Addae-Mensah (Vice-Chancellor): University of Ghana, Legon, Accra (Ghana) 
E-mail: [email protected] 
Prof. François-Xavier Garneau: Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi (Canada) 
E-mail: [email protected] 

The main objective of the Création de petites entreprises (Togo/Bénin/Ghana) Project was to develop small scale enterprises to valorize aromatic plants of the sub-region comprising Togo, Benin and Ghana. 

In Togo, the investigations looked into dozens of plants including Cymbopogon nardus (Citronella), Lippia multiflora, Cymbopogon schoenanthus and Clausena anisata. Chemical analysis of these plants was done and agricultural and extraction techniques of citronella were determined and transferred to rural area, where three distillation units of citronella oils have been installed and are functioning. KAROM is an ointment formulated from shea nut butter and citronella essential oil. Market tests for the KAROM ointment are going on and other household products are being formulated and tested as well. In 1995, a market survey done by Legault, Grysole et Associés Inc. identified a local and regional market for the products of the kind of citronella (soap and household products producers). However, present experiences are facing various challenges in order to access this market. A local NGO was set up to coordinate the activities in this field. 

In Ghana, the investigations also looked into the above mentioned plants (Cymbopon nardus, Lippia multiflora,and Clausena anisata) among others. A distillation unit has been installed in the District of Nkawnkaw in the Eastern part of the country for the Ghana Citronella Farmers Association The oil extracted is currently sold to Lever Brothers Company. The project is presently working in collaboration with Esiama Oil Mills Ltd. on the transfer of the developed agricultural and extraction techniques to the Western part of Ghana, as an alternative source of income for the population of that region. 

In Benin, research activities have identified and analyzed about forty species of plants. Agricultural trials have been achieved for Lippia multiflora, Cymbopogon nardus (Citronella), C.citratus, Clausena anisata and Ocimum canum. The Association pour la promotiondes plantes aromatiques et médicinales pour le développement (Association for the Promotion of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants for the Development) was created, and a training workshop on agricultural and extraction techniques of citronella was organized (1998) for groups of farmers and individuals who are members of this association.