Perceived livelihood of palm kernel processors at Abura in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

In Ghana, about two-third of rural households earn their livelihoods from subsistence agriculture and agricultural related activities such as agro-processing. Agro-industries add value to agricultural raw material through processing to produce marketable and usable products that brings forth profits and additional income to the producer. It is also crucial for generating employment, income opportunities and improves the quality of life of many people. Agro-processing such as palm oil and palm kernel oil processing serves as a major source of livelihood for many people in developing countries especially women. The study was carried out to find out the correlates of perceived livelihood of palm kernel oil processors at Abura, a suburb of the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly. All 45 palm kernel oil processors (all women) in the study area were included in the study but only 36 (80%) agreed to respond. The results showed that 69.4% % of the women involved in the palm kernel oil processing business are illiterate and are mostly married with a mean age and household size of 48 and six, respectively. The findings of the study further revealed that the majority of the respondents had been in the business for more than ten years. The results of the study showed that the palm kernel oil processors were more vulnerable to frequent breakdown of milling machine, palm kernel oil price fluctuations, high cost of palm kernels and inadequate operating capital. There was a positive relationship between the level of livelihood assets (natural, human, physical, financial, social) and age, household size and work experience. The study also indicates that as the processors accumulate more assets their perceived level of vulnerability goes down. Based on the findings of the study it is recommended that Women in Agriculture Division of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture should organize the women into cooperative group so they could sell their produce through the cooperative instead of selling on individual basis. This will help to insulate them to some extent against price fluctuations. Further, the Ministry of Trade and Industries through the Department of Cottage industries should provide the women with modern milling machines in order to reduce their vulnerability due to frequent breakdown of the current milling machines.