This poster presents an innovative method for determining coconut (Cocos nucifera) fruit quality. Several tools were used to assess the coconut fruit quality of two cultivars - PB121 or MYD × WAT from Côte d'Ivoire and VRD × VTT from Vanuatu - at different ripening stages. Chemical analyses were performed using classical and innovative methods. Total soluble sugar and lipid concentrations of the freeze-dried kernel were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE®) and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). These new innovative methods were able to keep the cost of the study down by 70%, while the volume of solvent (petroleum ether) used was reduced by more than 90%. The poster also presents CIRAD's proposals to improve the quality of the traditional aqueous coconut oil extraction process. Part of this proposal was developed in the period 2001-03 (with French Development Agency (AFD) funding) after an analysis of the small-scale coconut processing sector in Ghana. Local traditional processes were characterised within their socioeconomic context, and their environmental impact was assessed. CIRAD experts made several proposals to improve both the productivity and working conditions of processors. The suggested improvements, including graters, presses and furnaces, were all suitable for the small-scale processing procedure and were easy to handle and did not change the characteristics of the final product as assessed by the market. A small effluent treatment unit was also designed to reduce pollution. (Texte intégral)