Contextual engineering for sustainable Kalahari melon oil extraction in rural Namibia

This study addresses the inefficiencies of traditional Kalahari melon oil extraction in rural Namibia, which is a labor-intensive, firewood-dependent process with low yields, by co-designing a manual hydraulic press grounded in contextual engineering principles. The goal was to develop a locally appropriate technology that reduces labor intensity, improves oil yield, and eliminates reliance on firewood. The press, constructed primarily from scrap and locally available materials such as recycled metal for the frame was fabricated at a total cost of approximately USD 90. It eliminates the need for electricity, reduces processing time by 98.7% (from five hours to four minutes per batch), and improves oil yield (8.5-9.5% compared to the traditional 5-7%). Field tests conducted in Ondobe demonstrated additional benefits: zero firewood use (when seeds are not roasted), significantly reduced labor burdens for women, and enhanced oil clarity. Further testing with different press chamber sizes showed improved oil recovery efficiency with smaller diameters, supporting the potential for community-level scaling of the technology. By prioritizing local knowledge, community participation, and sustainable material use, the innovation aligns with Namibia’s broader goals for climate resilience and gender equity, offering a scalable, culturally grounded model for processing indigenous crops.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Engr Tech & Mgmt for Ag Sys

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Kandume, Jason N.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Witmer, Ann-Perry

• Kalahari Melon Oil
• Contextual Engineering
• Manual Hydraulic Press
• Sustainable Oil Extraction
• Namibia
• Participatory Design
• Traditional Knowledge
• Gendered Labor
• Rural Agro-processing
• Engineering For Development

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2025 Jason N. Kandume. All rights reserved. This thesis is the original work of the author and is protected by copyright law. Reproduction or distribution of any part of this document without the author’s written permission is prohibited.

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129916

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F129916