Abstract

Kol is an improvised version of Ghani, an oil extraction process that carries 4000 years of history and was invented by the Harappan civilization. In Sanskrit literature of about 500 BC, there is a specific reference to an oil press that marks this machinery as an important part of understanding the social and agricultural life of people of that era. Kol uses wood-based components to achieve cold press and compaction of oil seeds. The main objective of this paper is to do an extensive study on the traditional Kol technology of Nepal and analyze its manufacturing processes. This is achieved through in-person discussion and review of locally available community-based Kol from Arghakhanchi. There is a need for the update and optimization of this machinery regarding efficiency improvement, material upgrading, human resources development, and economic viability for rural communities.

Keywords— Kol, Ghani, traditional, oil extraction, optimization