Palm Tree Farming Promises to be Fruitful Enterprise for Farmers in Odobeng, Ghana
The palm tree is one of Ghana’s central region’s greatest resources. Odobeng is an ideal location for palm tree farming and palm oil manufacturing because of the areas dense rain forest climate. Thanks to a partnership with the iF Foundation local farmers are being empowered to harvest more palm fruit. An iF Foundation supported palm oil processing mill in Odobeng, scheduled to open in the near future, will provide added economic benefit to area farmers. When ripe, palm fruit is red, soft and juicy. Inside the fruit is a large seed, which contains a palm kernel. Palm oil is made from the fruit and palm kernel oil is made from the seed. In order to harvest the ripe fruit, farmers climb to the top of the palm tree. The bunch of fruit is then cut down and each fruit is carefully removed. Palm oil and palm kernel oil are then processed into cooking oils as well as bath and dish soap. One big difference between palm oil and palm kernel oil is the amount of saturated fat. 50% of the fat in palm oil is saturated whereas 80% of the fat in palm kernel oil is saturated. In addition there is no waste when processing the palm fruit into oil. The husk and palm kernel shells are used to build fire for cooking while the palm tree branches are used to weave baskets and the leaves for making brooms
Read MoreWorld Vets and the iF Foundation – Working Together in Rural Haiti
This fall a team of 3 veterinarians and 2 vet students traveled to northern Haiti to provide guidance and advice for iF Foundation animal husbandry projects. The team spent their mornings assisting with the diagnosis and treatment of various medical conditions for the animals of local farmers involved with iF Foundation projects. The doctors compassionately treated cows, goats, pigs, donkeys and horses providing vaccinations, de-worming and training to the farmers and their local veterinarian. In a country where healthcare for people is limited, most of the animals seen on this trip had never received medical treatment. The doctors also spent time on the iF foundation pig, rabbit and goat farms making recommendations for improved outcomes. The goat farm in particular has hope of becoming a model goat farm for all of Haiti. Two of the veterinarians from the United Kingdom, Drs. Ellie Milnes and Rob Kelly are working on a development plan to assist the goat farmers with their herd. The plan includes recommendations for better quality nutrition, improved health initiatives, cross breeding and some simple changes to the fencing and pasture rotation, all leading to healthier goats. World Vets has brought renewed hope to farmers who are struggling to improve their families’ livelihoods.
Read MoreFishing Village on Lake Volta Works Together Towards a Sustainable Economy
The long stretch of muddy, bumpy road leading to Akrusu Saisi, ends in a remote fishing village nestled along the bank of Lake Volta in eastern, Ghana. Here you can meet women, children and fishermen working together to improve their living conditions, provide healthier livelihoods and a brighter future for their families. The villagers in Akrusu Saisi lead a simple life with no access to electricity or running water. Thanks to a partnership with the iF Foundation, Akrusu Saisi now benefits from a borehole well to access clean water and 4 modern fishing boats with proper equipment so fishermen can earn a sustainable living. This partnership with the people of Akrusu Saisi is the beginning of an iF Foundation hope to lift up an entire village through economic opportunity.
Read MoreVolunteers Make the Difference
It’s true that volunteering time is part of the American culture. In Haiti, where people struggle to find employment, volunteerism is not common. In Thibeau, 30 local young Haitians are volunteering their time in support of iF Foundation projects. The group is providing critical manpower in order to support economic development in their community. The volunteers work day and night peeling yucca for the cassava factory and harvesting vegetables from a local farm used to feed area pigs, goats and rabbits – all part of iF Foundation animal husbandry projects. In return, the volunteers are using skills to improve their community and gaining an increased sense of self worth and respect from their neighbors. Edlyne Cange and Magnus Regis, iF Foundation country directors in Haiti meet with the group on a regular basis to discuss additional ways they can assist with projects, train them with additional skills and most importantly, thank them for their support!
Read More
