Paper short abstract:

The paper examines the material and organisational configuration of the small scale oil palm value chain in Ghana. It is argued that the interrelationships between the large scale sector and the small scale sector play an important role for rural industrial development

Paper long abstract:

Oil palm is an important cash crop in West Africa. But the promotion and research on oil palm value chains has so far mainly focused on smallholders' incorporation in the value chains, e.g. through outgrower schemes, and larger scale industrial development. However, different artisanal oil palm products play a significant role in Ghanaian diets which have traditionally been dependent on oil palm as a subsistence crop and the artisanal or small scale production of palm oil in Ghana today exists in an interrelationship with the large scale plantation and processing sector. Therefore this paper examines the material and organisational configuration of the small scale oil palm value chain emanating from a field study area in the Kwaebibirem District in the Eastern Region in Ghana. It is argued that the interrelationships between the large scale sector and the small scale sector play an important role for the development of the small scale value chain as well as productive linkages to small industries in the settlements. The case provides valuable insights to how rural economic development is spurred through 'unintentional' linkages between formal and informal sectors in Ghana. It is argued that policymakers should take these linkages into consideration in future policies on agricultural and rural development.