DIVERSITY AND USE OF ARTISANAL POTASH FROM AGRICULTURAL CO-PRODUCTS IN COTE D IVOIRE

Agriculture occupies most of the Ivorian economy. Thus, huge quantities of agricultural co-products are released into the wild as waste. It is therefore important to value agricultural co-products. This study aims to contribute to the valorization of agricultural co-products through the production of potash. For this purpose, a survey was conducted in the Haut Sassandra region. The questionnaire focused on the identification of co-products used, production processes, the use of artisanal potash and conservation equipment. In addition, a physicochemical analysis of the most produced and available potash on the market was carried out in the laboratory. The results revealed that various co-products are used to produce potash, and that cocoa pods, banana stalks, palm branches and coffee parches are the most commonly used. As for the production method, it is identical according to whether it is done with a co-product or another, with some differences in the production of artisanal potash from the palm branches. At the level of its use, potash is used as a food additive but also as a traditional medicine and in the production of soaps. It is preserved in plastic packaging (62.91%), in rubber boxes (22.77%), in empty bottles (13.23%) and in polypropylene bags (1.08%).