I am Chiawuotu Canis, a dedicated farmer with over three decades of experience. My journey with palm oil processing began modestly, relying on manual methods to extract the precious oil from my own palm grove and additional stock purchased from neighboring areas. Over the past 15 years, I’ve witnessed a transformation in my operations, transitioning from labor-intensive techniques to more mechanical processes.

The heart of my operation is a large heater capable of processing less than 1,000 liters of palm oil. The traditional method of heating this volume of oil requires a substantial amount of firewood, both physically demanding to gather and environmentally taxing to consume. While effective, firewood is far from cost-efficient or sustainable.

One of my most significant challenges is the lack of access to modern energy sources. I dream of replacing my firewood-based system with either electricity or solar power. The cost of diesel, once an affordable alternative, has skyrocketed from N8,000 for 25 liters to an exorbitant N18,000 to N20,000, severely impacting my profit margins.

The high costs of fuel and labor, combined with operational expenses, significantly reduce the income I rely on to support my family. Despite these challenges, I remain hopeful that with the advent of renewable energy technologies, my palm oil processing business could become more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.