The document presents a research proposal on analyzing the cost and benefits of producing and processing Java and Ceylon citronella. The proposal outlines introducing citronella cultivation in Ghana, the problem statement regarding financing expansion, and aims to estimate production costs per acre. The methodology describes materials, land preparation, planting, harvesting, oil extraction through distillation, and data collection. The expected outcome is farmers gaining knowledge on costs and benefits to improve citronella production.

1. VALLEY VIEW UNIVERSITY
TECHIMAN CAMPUS
RESEARCH PROPOSAL PRESENTATION ON THE
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE PRODUCTION
AND PROCESSING OF JAVA AND CEYLON
CITRONELLA.
(Cymbopogon spp)
PRESENTED BY:
OPOKU JOHN MARK
211AB01000005

2. CITRONELLA GRASS
PLANT
CITRONELLA PLANT
CITRONELLA SLIPS
(PLANTING MATERIALS)

3. OUTLINE OF THE PROPOSAL
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND AND
JUSTIFICATION
PROBLEM STATEMENT
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
LITERATURE REVIEW
METHODOLOGY
WORK SCHEDULE
EXPECTED OUTCOME
CONCLUSION

4. INTRODUCTION
•
Citronella was first introduced in India in 1959 from
Indonesia (Java Island, hence the name Java citronella) (Kaul
et al. 1997). Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) is an
aromatic grass belonging to the Poaceae family which gives
essential oils upon stem distillation.
•
This is used extensively as a source of perfumery, soap,
cosmetic and flavoring in industries throughout the world.
India has been a leading producer of essential oil including oil
of citronella.
• Citronella is an aromatic perennial herb with fibrous roots. It
is erecting over 2m tall with smooth and shiny leaves which
are glabrous at the nodes.

5. INTRODUCTION
• The leaf blades are linear, gradually tapering to a
long, membranous, acuminate and up to 1 m long
and 1.5 cm wide, drooping at two-third of its
length.
•
The leaf sheath is smooth and glabrous, yellow
or purplish-red in color. The inflorescence is very
large, erect, finally drooping, consisting of a
branched and rebranched axis.

6. INTRODUCTION
•
One of the important essential oils extracted
from aromatic grasses is citronella oil obtained from
citronella grass. This oil is used extensively as a
source of important perfumery chemicals like
citronellol, citronellal and geraniol, which finds its
extensive use in soap, perfumery, cosmetic and
flavoring industries throughout the world.
•
It is classified in trade into two types -Ceylon
citronella
oil,
obtained
from Cymbopogon
nardus(inferior type), while Java type citronella oil
obtained from Cymbopogon winterianus (superior
type).

7. INTRODUCTION
• It is cultivated in parts of tropical and subtropical
areas of Asia, Africa and America (Shasany et al.
2000).
• Presently, 300-350 tonnes of oil are produced in the
India for the last 6-8 years in the states of Assam,
Karnataka, U.P, M.P, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and
West Bengal. Areas receiving good and distributed
rainfalls throughout the year are suitable for
cultivation of Citronella (Katiyar et al. 2011).

8. INTRODUCTION
• In Ghana Citronella cultivation was introduced by
Amansie Resolute as part of its restoration programme
as a response to environmental requirement. The
cultivation of this crop attracted about 70% of the
farmers due to the high demand for its oil. The
Ministry Of Trade and Industry realizing the potentials
of the plant also came in to support by providing
processing plant to support the farmers.
• The people at Morrison, a village around Axim In the
western region is also noted to be into production of
citronella.

9. PROBLEM STATEMENT
• The challenges that confront citronella cultivation
are that farmers are unable to acquire adequate
working capital for expansion of the cash crop
that compelled the plant to operate below capacity
while poor management collapsed the plant all
together.
• It is therefore necessary to estimate the cost and
benefit analysis of producing citronella per acre to
enhance regular supply of raw materials to
processing plants across the nation.

10. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
• AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The main aim of the study is to analyze the cost and
benefits of the production and processing of Java and
Ceylon citronella.
• SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
o To identify the major cost components in the
production of both Java and Ceylon citronella.
o To identify the major cost component in the processing
of both Java and Ceylon citronella

11. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Cont’d
o To estimate the actual cost of production of both Java
and Ceylon citronella.
o To know the actual benefits of the products produced
from both Java and Ceylon Citronella.

12. LITERATURE REVIEW
Cymbopogon nardus is cultivated in parts of
tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa and
America (Shasany et al. 2000).
Areas receiving good and distributed rainfalls
throughout the year are suitable for cultivation of
Citronella (Katiyar et al. 2011).
Citronella is an aromatic grass belonging to the
Poaceae family

13. LITERATURE REVIEW
It is erecting over 2m tall with smooth and shiny leaves
Citronella grows best in sandy loam soils. Heavy clayey
soils, which tend to water log and light sandy soils are
not suitable for this crop. It does not tolerate water
stagnation.
 A good amount of organic matter is desirable.
Citronella is propagated by splitting the clumps of
vigorously growing plant of 6-months to one year old
into slips (Annon, 2013).

14. LITERATURE REVIEW
C. winterianus essential oil is rich in citronellal,
geraniol and citronellol (Katiyar et al. 2011) but
consists of other constituents like citronellyl
acetate, L-limonene, ellemol and other
sesquiterpene alcohols.
It also consists of monoterpene constituents like
citral, citronellol, citronellal, linalool, elemol, 1,
8-cineole, limonene, geraniol, b-carophyllene,
methyl heptenone, geranyl acetate and geranyl
formate.

15. LITERATURE REVIEW
The industrial interest in essential oils is due to their
application as fragrances in perfumes, as flavour
additives in food products or as pharmaceutical
products and desirable repellent characteristics
against mosquitoes (Katz et al. 2008; Simic et al.
2008; Silva et al. 2011).

16. LITERATURE REVIEW
Uses Of Citronella Oil
Citronella oil is commonly known for its natural insect
repellent properties, though it has many other uses in
aromatherapy.
 Traditional uses has include treatment of fever,
intestinal parasites, digestive and menstrual problems.
In Chinese medicine, it is used for rheumatic pain.

17. LITERATURE REVIEW
 It can be used as massage oil for aching joints and
muscles.
The steam volatile essential oils extracted from its
leaves are used in perfumery, cosmetics,
pharmaceuticals and flavoring industries. Citronella
winterianus essential oil has CNS effect and
anticonvulsant properties (Guenther, 1950 and Blanco
et al.2007).

18. METHODOLOGY
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
MATERIALS NEEDED.
For successful production of Citronella, the following materials will be
obtained.
Land for production
Citronella stocks/Slips
Organic manure (poultry droppings)
Cutlass/sicle
Metal drum
Coiled pipe
Condenser
Heat source
Knapsack Sprayer
Herbicide

19. METHODOLOGY
• LAND PREPARATION
• Fields should be prepared thoroughly by plowing and
harrowing and removing the different types of plant
debris.
• Apply farm yard manure to the soil before ploughing
is done.
• Also apply a pre emergence herbicide 10-15 days
before planting.

20. METHODOLOGY
PLANTING
• The plant is propagated vegetatively by the use of
slips. As soon as the land is ready planting follows.
• Plants will be cultivated at a distance of 30x30cm
in other to minimize weed emergence in the
plantation.

21. METHODOLOGY
• WEED CONTROL
• The purpose of the weeding is to control weeds
that compete with the crops and prevent the
spread of diseases and pests.
• 20-25 days after planting, the first weeding is done
and the second weeding is done from 40-60 days
after planting with cutlass and hoe.

22. METHODOLOGY
FERTILIZER APPLICATION
• Organic manure (poultry dropping) will be the main
source of fertilizer for the plants.
• Fertilizer application will be carried out 4weeks after
panting.
IRRIGATION
• Since the rains are not consistent, irrigation will be
done once in every 10 days as the plant required.
Sprinkler irrigation will be used.

23. METHODOLOGY
HARVESTING
• Harvesting will begin five to six months after the plants
begin to grow.
• Harvesting will be done early in the morning and be
completed before 12 O’clock.
• Harvesting will be done by cutting the leaves and some
part of the stock about 15cm from the ground.
• The leaves will be left to wither for 24hrs before
distillation is carried out.

24. METHODOLOGY
EXTRACTION OF OIL
• The oil will be extracted by means of hydro or steam
distillation.
• The distillation plant will be set up immediately after
the grass is ready to be harvested.

25. METHODOLOGY
THE PROCESSING CYCLE
Harvesting
Withering
Distillation
Collection
Of Oil

26. METHODOLOGY
 The setup will consist of the following:
2 Metallic drums
A pipe
A collector
Heat source.
 One of the drums will serve as the cooking pot and
the other as the condenser.
The condenser will contain water to cool the vapour
from the pipe and is collected in the collector at the
other end of the pipe.

27. METHODOLOGY
Bottling and Labelling
• The oil will be bottled and labeled after
distillation.
• The label will consist of the following:
– The name of the plant from which the oil is
derived

28. METHODOLOGY
 DATA TO BE COLLECTED
 The cost of planting materials
 The cost of manure
 Date of planting
 Date of emergence
 Date of harvesting
 Number of slips per month
 Color of the oil
 Quantity of oil
 Cost of oil

29. WORK SCHUDLE
ACTIVITIES
TIME REQUIRED (MONTHS)
OCTOBER
LITERATURE
REVIEW
LAND
PREPARATION
PLANTING
DATA
COLLECTION
CULTURAL
PRACTICES
HARVESTING
OIL EXTRACTION
DATA ANALYSIS
REPORT WRITING
REPORT EDITING
AND SUBMISSION
NOVEMBER DECEMBER
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APPRIL
MAY

30. EXPECTED OUTCOME
• It is expected that, before a farmer attempts
to go into the production and processing of
citronella he or she will have a fair
knowledge about the cost and benefits.

31. CONCLUSION
The expected results from the project is foreseen to
help improve the production of Java and Ceylon
citronella in Ghana.

32. REFERENCE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Guenther, E., 1950. In: Guenther, E. (Ed.), Essential oils. Van Nostrand Co., Inc, London
International Journal of Advanced Research (2013), Volume 1, Issue 6, 504-521
Katiyar, R., Gupta, S., Yadav, K.R. (2011): Cymbopogon winterianus: an important species for
essential java Citronella oil and medicinal values, National Conference on Forest Biodiversity:
Earth‟s living treasure, 22 May, FRI, Kanpur.
Katz, T.M., Miller, J.H., Hebert, A.A. (2008): Insect repellents: Historical perspectives and new
developments. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol., 58: 865-871.
Silva, C.F., Moura, F.C., Mendes, M.P., Pessoa, F.L.P., (2011): Extraction of Citronella
(Cymbopogon nardus) essential oil using supercritical carbon dioxide: Experimental data and
mathematical modelling, Brazilian J. of Chem. Eng., 28: 343-350.
Simic, A., Rancic, A., Sokovic, M.D., Ristic, M., Grujic-Jovanovic, S., Vukojevic, J., Marin, P.D.
(2008): Essential oil composition of Cymbopogon winterianus and Carum carvi and their
antimicrobial activities. Pharmaceutical Biology.,46: 437-441.
Shasany, A.K., Lal, R.K., Darokar, M.P., Patra, N.K., Garg, A., Kumar, S., Khanuja, S.P.S.,
(2000): Phenotypic and RAPD diversity among Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt accessions in
relation to Cymbopogon nardus Rendle. Genet. Resour. Crop Evol., 47: 553–559.
Kaul, P.N., Bhattacharya, A.K., and Rajeshwara Rao B.R. 1997. Chemical composition of the essential oil
of Java Citronella(Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) grown in Andhra Pradesh. PAFAI J. 19: 29-33
Blanco, M.M., Costa, C.A.R.A., Freire, A.O., santos Jr., J.G., Costa, M., 2007. Neurobehavioral effect of
essential oil of Cymbopogon citrates in mice. Phytomedicine, in press, doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2007.04.007.