THE POTENTIAL OF SHEA IN SUPORTING LIVELIHOOD IN MAGWI

COUNTY EASTERN EQUATORIA, SOUTH SUDAN

By

The Directorate of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry GOSS- Juba

With Support from

Native Technology / UN (FAO) and SNV Netherlands

Research team members:

Mr. Angelo Okeny Langalanga, MoAF

Mr. Patrick Taban, MoAF

Mr. Lita Jackson Joseph, MoAF

Mr. Justin Miteng, SNV

Mr. Ekanath Khatiwada, SNV

Ms. Palma Atim, Native Tech

Mr. Eddy Tokwaro, Native Tech

Mr. Cosmas, MASRA

Report compiled by Jacksion Lita (MAF, GoSS) and Justin Miteng (Advisor, Economic Dev’t – SNV)

May 2008

ii

Acknowledgement

During the survey several persons contributed to the success of the research in one

way or the other these includes the following, to whom we express our sincere

gratitude

• Mr. Timothy Onak, Director general of Forestry MAF, GOSS

• Mr. Lawrence Otika, Assistant Emergency Co-ordinator FAO unit – Juba

• Mr. David Ocheng, Executive director Magwi county

• Mr. Augustin Oloya, Agriculture Department , Magwi county

• Mr. Martin Moi. ( Moli) and

• Cosmas of MASRA for their dedicated field support during the time of the

research.

Local chiefs of the respective areas of study viz. Panyikwara, Agoro, and Moli

Last but not the least the community members who gave their time to respond to the

questionnaires and participated in FGD groups.

Mr. Angelo Okeny Langalanga

Team leader of the research

iii

Abstract

Booklet is a result of active assessment of shea and its potentials for income

generation in Magwi county. The assessment took a participatory approach and over

100 local community members mostly women were interviewed using both

questionnaires and in focus group discussions. It was clear finding from this study that

shea has been recognized as an important tree in the community for decades. Shea is

an important part of the community livelihoods strategy especially bridging the

hunger gaps. The community enforces local bylaws to conserve the shea tree.

Although this is working well it is important to emphasize that there is need for

government policy on shea tree conservation to be put in place to reinforce the local

laws. Additionally, the research found out lack of clear regulation on shea production

and marketing. There are high variation of prices within small geographical area,

which suggest that there has not been an organized buying, and selling of the products

in the area. Literally, numbers of returnees currently settled are collecting nuts during

the silent hunger season in order to bridge this crucial period for food security. The

area is characterized by community with typically very poor members, with little

education, hardly organized and extremely vulnerable to food insecurity.

It is therefore suggested based on this findings that an analysis of supply side

constrains and demand side constraints in detail and research on markets is required to

understand the complete market chain of Shea butter. Also increased understanding of

both micro and macro level on commercial opportunities of she butter production and

marketing. As market prices for shea is highly fluctuating. There is no system of

market price monitoring mechanism at community level. Local market prices system

is required to inform local collectors and processors. The following approaches are

suggested for strengthening market information in the community:

� Linkages to various local, regional and international markets

� Periodic detailed market assessment – to a certain changes in the market

� Cross learning on the activities – exposure visits

The research Team

iv

Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………..…...ii

Abstract …………………………………………………………………………..…..iii

Table of contents……………………………………………………………….…..... iv

CHAPTER ONE…………………….……………………………………………….1

1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………1

1.1 Global market trend and its market segment………………………………………1

1.2 Background………………………………………………………………………..1

1.3 Problem statement and justification…………………………………………….....2

1.4 Overall objective…………………………………………………………………..3

1.5 Specific objectives…………………………………………………………….......3

CHAPTER TWO……………..…………….………………………………...……....4 2. Research methodology……………………………………………………………...4

2.1 The study area……………………………………………………………………..4

2.2 Research design……………………………………………....................................5

2.3 Sampling procedure…………………………………………………………….....5

2.4 Data collection……………………………………………………………………..6

2.5 Data processing and analysis………………………………………………………7

2.6 Limitation …………………………………………………………………………7

CHAPTER THREE ………………………………………………………………....9

3. Results and Discussions…………………………………………………………....9

3.1 Density of Vitellaria spp…………………………………………………………..9

3.2 The socio-economic value of shea to communities in Magwi…………………….9

3.2.3 Shea Marketing channels identified by the community ………………….........11

3.2.2: Marketing of Shea Products in Magwi County …………………………….....12

3.2.1 Quantity of Shea nuts collected by a household per season……………………12

3.2.4 Other sources of income among the local communities in Magwi……….........13

3.3 Seasonal Calendar …………………………………………………………….....14

3.3 Indigenous knowledge in management and utilization of shea…………………..15

3.2.4 Other sources of income among the local communities in Magwi ……………17

3.3 Seasonal Calendar………………………………………………………………..18

3.3 Indigenous knowledge in management and utilization of shea ………………….18

v

CHAPTER FOUR ……………….……………………….………….……………..19

4. Conclusions and Recommendations………………………………………………19

4.1 Appropriate policy advocacy on Government policy…………………………....19

4.2 Market information system for shea business …………………………………...19

4.3 General conclusions and recommendations.......…………………………….......20

Appendices

Appendix 1: Work plan ……………………………………………………………...21

Appendix 2: The Budget………………………………………………………….....21

Appendix 3: Other local tree species common with shea trees and their uses……… 22

Appendix 4: List of respondents..……………………………………………………23

Tables

Table 1 The sampling frame…………………………………………………………...6

Table 2 Density of vitellaria species in Magwi County…………………………….....9

Table 3 Potentials for Shea to enhance h/h income and livelihoods in Magwi ……...10

Table 4 Seasonal calendar of community level economic activities…………………14

Table 5 Indigenous knowledge of shea ……………………………………………...15

Figures

Fig. 1 Annual shea collection rate per household in Magwi County………………...11

Fig. 2 Prices variation of Shea nut and Shea butter by location……………………...13

Fig. 3 Other Sources of household income in Magwi County ………………………14

Fig. 4 Factors affecting utilization of shea nut/butter………………………………...17

1

CHAPTER ONE

1. Introduction

Shea nuts are primarily grown in West and Central Africa in the semi-arid Sahel, referred

to by traders as the "Shea Belt". Vitellaria paradoxa and Vitellaria nilotica are the two

main varieties. Vitellaria paradoxa is exported in the largest volume and grows

throughout the West African region. However, Vitellaria nilotica is produced primarily in

northern Uganda and southern Sudan.

Shea nut products, the solid fat (butter or stearin) and the liquid oil (olein), are ideal for

use as raw materials in cooking oil, margarine, cosmetics, soap, detergents and candles,

but it has found its primary market niche as a substitute for cocoa butter in the chocolate

and confectionery industry

1.1 Global market trend and its market segment

The vast majority of shea butter is consumed in producer countries as cooking oil, soap,

or skin and hair cream. On export markets, shea is sought by the chocolate, cosmetic, and

pharmaceutical industries. Annual global demand for shea butter is between 25,000 and

30,000 tons. Consumption of this volume by industry is:

� chocolate industry: 90 to 95 percent

� cosmetic industry: 5 to 10 percent

� pharmaceutical industry: about 0.05 percent

Most shea on the international market comes from industrially extracted shea butter. The

traditional product made by rural village women has limited opportunity for export. It is

most often used in soaps or is further refined for use by large cosmetic manufacturers. A

high-value niche market for raw, village-produced shea butter exists among smaller

cosmetic manufacturers, primarily in North America and Europe (USAID, 2005)

1.2 Background

The Shea nut tree — known in Arabic as lulu — grows in a narrow swath below the

Sahara from Senegal to Ethiopia. In Sudan, the tree thrives in the Bahr al Ghazal and

Equatoria regions, where it has been used for centuries. The Shea nut tree of

Butyrospermum parkii, var. Nilotica species is a deciduous savanna plant species

growing naturally in the forests and woodlands of some parts of South Sudan including

2

Magwi County, Eastern Equatorial state. It is a light-demanding species forming

extensive pure stands in some areas but often also associated with other trees. It avoids

swampy areas, those liable to flooding for any length of time, moist heavy loam soils or

watercourses. The extensive root system is essential for survival in the 5-7-month dry

seasons of savannah climates.

Shea Butter has for centauries been recognized as a valuable vegetable oil. In South

Sudan, it had played a bigger role in bridging food insecurity gaps as sources of

alternative food for the household. It derives a number of uses locally; as skin

conditioner, as food directly eaten with boiled potatoes or cassava, as cooking oil, for

medicinal purposes etc. However, these traditional uses only consume a small fraction of

the total production of Shea butter in densely Shea wooded communities. This makes its

potential for poverty reduction under utilized.

This is partly because of the low level, inefficient methods of post harvest handling

methods and insufficient knowledge about its income generating potentials

1.3 Problem statement and justification

The traditional and unsustainable management and utilization of Vitellaria spp in Magwi

County has limited its socio economic benefits to the local communities in Magwi

County. Communities living in areas of high Vitellaria density woodlands do not exploit

and manage the resource sustainable for profit making beside its various products. There

is gap in knowledge about the potential of Vitellaria economic, medicinal, social, and

religious and other uses. The community lack efficient knowledge on markets, methods

and facilities (for extracting valuable products such as oil and medicinal additives)

Vitellaria. Vetellaria woodlands are subjected to degrading impact of fire set by

communities and thus not laws and regulatory mechanisms put in place by local

governments to safeguard the forest from fire. There has been no attempt made to survey

and map the prevalence of Vitellaria in the County. Attempts made to promote collection

and processing of Vitellaria nuts have not been grounded on well carried out researched

to inform sustainable utilization and conservation activities and policies. Therefore, the

need for the study to address some of the problems highlighted. The study findings shall

3

be useful for policymaking, designing rural development programs, as well as

conservation of the Vitellaria spp in Magwi County.

1.4 Overall objective

To determine the potential of Shea nuts/butter in supporting rural livelihood in Magwi

county

1.5 Specific objectives

1. To determine the density of Shea trees in forests of Magwi county

2. To determine the socio economic value of Shea in Magwi county

3. To identify the gaps in conservation of Shea trees in Magwi county

4. To identify indigenous knowledge in management of Shea among communities in

Magwi count

5. To suggest possible and viable livelihood options for rural communities

4

CHAPTER TWO

2. Research methodology

This chapter highlights the research design, sampling strategies and data collection

techniques applied during the assessment process. Data recording, preliminary data

treatment methods as well as analytical tools used have also been explained. The field

assessment was conducted for duration of seven (7) days.

A mixed methodology approach was adopted and designed to generate both qualitative

and quantitative data from multiple stakeholder groups, using a variety of sampling

procedures and contact methods. Since information about values, attitudes, conservation,

access and control of community natural resources are complex.

2.1 The study area

The area chosen for this study was Magwi County. Magwi County is located in Eastern

Equatoria State, South Sudan. The Acholi and Madi tribes inhabit the County and their

major socio economic activity is agriculture. Others activities include raring small

ruminants and birds, hunting, gathering and fishing. Three bomas were chosen for the

study. These included Moli in Pageri payam, Panyikwara in Magwi payam, and

Omeo/Agoro in Magwi payam.

Moli is a boma of Pageri Payam is 37Kms from Magwi the headquarters of the county.

This boma has two (2) villages of Toruko & Andru with a vegetation of Savanna

woodland. The land is a low plateau landscape with sandy loam soil. Shea trees are found

(spread) all over Moli boma with concentrations of stands within Toruko & Andru

villages. The Shea trees grow in association with other tree species of which the

dominants are Combretum Spp; Acacia Spp; Growia Spp, Vitex Spp, and Sterculia

spp.with much undergrowth of shrubs, herbs and grass. Their soil is rich for Agricultural

production yet the land has not been disturbed for the last 21 years of war. However, it

suffers annual wild fires which some times lead to fluctuations in Shea nuts production.

Agoro Boma is 24 Km North West of Magwi town. It is at the foot of the northern arm of

the Ematong ranges with low plateau. The soils are deep rich in sandy loam, covered with

5

high thick bushes with concentrations of the Shea trees at the plains. Other major tree

species associated with Shea tree in the area are Anona Spp; Sterculia; Acacia Spp;

Piliostigma & Combretum Spp. Albezia Spp; Terminalia Spp; Dini (Isoberemia) doka in

valleys. The area is perfect for Agricultural activities; the soil has not been disturbed and

the ground floor is covered with dry leaves/litters and grass. The vegetation canopy

/crown in the sample plots ranges from 1-50 in percentages. Annual wild fire is the only

threat to the vegetation and Shea trees in particular.

Panyikwara is 14 Km west of Magwi town. It has low plains of sandy loam soil and up

grounds of shallow rocky soils. Shea trees strands are highly concentrated in the deep soil

plains though are found all over the Boma area. The general vegetation of the area is

Savanna woodland with thick undergrowth on the low plains/valleys. Shea tree

concentration is found in association with other tree species of which the dominants are

Anona Spp; Growia Spp; Sterculia Spp; Combetum Spp and Amino cordia Spp to

mention a few. Its vegetation has not been highly degraded though annual wile fire is the

major factor as environmental degradation.

2.2 Research design

A cross sectional survey design was conducted. Both qualitative and quantitative data

was collected using appropriate data collection tools as stipulated in subsequent

paragraphs below.

2.3 Sampling procedure

The target population of the survey was the local communities in villages adjacent to

Vitellaria forests and woodlands in Magwi County according to the following sampling

frame work.

6

Table 1 The sampling frame

Stakeholders Methods Sampling

techniques

Sample

numbers

HH questionnaires Cluster & convenient 60

Transect walks

(inventory)

Self-selecting 8

Village residents

FGD Self-selecting 50

Local institutions,

NGOs and

Government

Key Informants

interview

Purposive

5

Transect walk was conducted to determine the density of Shea trees; Sample plots of

dimensions 100m X 100m were established along transects at an interval of 100m. In all

the three locations, Moli, Agoro and Panyokwara, transect walk were conducted and

three samples were taken from each location.

2.4 Data collection

As shown in the sampling framework, socio economic information was collected using

semi-structured interviews and focus group discussion. Key informants and women were

interviewed for local knowledge on forest and uses of Shea in accordance with the

sampling frame shown above.

Data on plant density was collected through observations, measurements and resource

mapping during transect walks guided by self selecting members of the local community.

From each sample plot, all tree of DBH above 10cm were identified and numbered

(coded).

7

Template 1 Conducting Focus Group Discussion in Agoro, Magwi County

2.5 Data processing and analysis

During and after collection in the field, the data obtained was thoroughly checked for

consistency. The data from HH questionnaires was coded and entered into SPSS

spreadsheet for analysis. A summary of the data was produced using descriptive statistics

and cross tabulation using SPSS. Qualitative data from FGDs was recorded and analyzed,

interpreted and used to back up the quantitative findings shown by SPSS. The density

variance of Vitellaria spp was then analyzed using ANOVA.

2.6 Limitations

1. Poor road network within the county hindered extensive coverage of the research

area

2. Although the security situation in the area was generally calm during the time of

the research, there was a feeling of insecurity among the team since the area had

been wel known for insecurity caused by LRA a few years ago.

8

3. There was insufficient secondary data on management and utilization of

Vitellaria spp in Magwi County for reference.

4. According to the seasonal calendar, may was a busy time for agriculture, so

getting people in their houses took a lot of effort and time.

5. Insufficient of funds – limited the time for data collection.

6. The results may be gender biased due to higher number of women compared to

men attending FGDs and HH interviews.

7. There is need to use standardized measurements for the quantity of shea nut and

oil extracted. Estimates were used during the survey.

9

CHAPTER THREE

3. Results and Discussions

In this chapter, the results of the assessments were highlighted in accordance with the

assessment objectives; brief discussions on each finding was done which will eventually

lead to identification of possible conclusions and recommendations.

3.1 Density of Vitellaria spp

On average density of Vitelleria spp was about 58.22 trees per hectare. The density was

highest in Panyikwara and lowest in Moli (table 3.1). Proportionally about 33% of the

trees species in a unit area were vitellaria spp as in table 3.1 below.

Table 2 Density of vitellaria species in Magwi County

Location samples Density (tree/ha)

Vitellaria spp Other tree spp Proportion of vitellaria

spp

Panyikwara 1 58 90 39

2 94 103 48

3 101 166 38

Agoro 4 48 107 31

5 52 127 29

6 46 67 41

Moli 7 44 109 29

8 32 133 19

9 49 124 28

Average

58

114

33

The high density of Vitellaria nilotica relative to the density of each of the other tree

species in Magwi County shows how much effort local community exerts in conservation

the plant spp. Vitellaria nilotica is an important source of livelihood in Magwi County as

such there were traditional laws and superstition related to utilization and management of

the same. This had contributed a great deal to conservation of Vitellaria nilotica in

Magwi County.

3.2 The socio-economic value of shea to communities in Magwi

Majority of the respondents were women (75%). On average each household in Magwi

County collected about 514.7Kg of Shea nut per season of which only 6.417 on average

10

was sold (table 3.2). Butter was the most common product of Shea nuts and apart from

Shea, sale of farm produce provided an important source of income among the local

communities in Magwi County (table3.2 below). Shea provided important alternative

income potential and hence contributing to food security for the people of Magwi county.

Table 3 The potentials for Shea to enhance h/h income and livelihoods in Magwi

Characteristic of respondents/household No. of

Household/respondents

Percentages (%)

Sex Male 15 25.00

Female 45 75.00

Quantity collected by household per season

200 – 299 2 3.33

300 – 399 7 11.67

400 – 499 11 18.33

500 - 599 30 50.00

600+ 10 16.67

Mean = 514.7

Quantity sold as % of total collection

None 20 33.33

01 -05 15 25.00

06 – 10 8 13.33

11 – 15 9 15.00

16 – 20 5 8.33

21 - 25 3 5.00

Mean = 6.417

Products obtained from Shea nuts

Butter 60 100.00

Cake 36 60.00

Medicine 56 93.33

Others 2 3.33

Sources of income

Petty trade 12 20.00

Sale of farm produce 56 93.33

Sale of local brew 30 50.00

Causal labor 7 11.67

Honey Production 11 18.33

Hunting 6 10.00

Sale of Bamboo 10 16.67

11

3.2.1 Quantity of Shea nuts collected by a household per season

As shown in the table 3.2 above, majority of the household interviewed collected 500 to

600kg of Shea nuts that season (Fig. 3.2.1). The quantity collected ranged between

200Kg and 650Kg per household per season (Fig.3.1 below).

“In a good season, about 20 to 30 sacs of 50kgs of dried seeds can be collected by a

household” said one of the respondents in Moli.

Fig. 1 Annual shea collection rate per household in Magwi County

The harvesting season of Shea nut extends from March (early comers) to July (late

comers) with the peak period in May and June. During this time other activities that take

place included crop cultivation – so the work of collection of Shea nuts goes concurrently

with normal seasonal activities. For instance one woman stated that:

“In the morning, you go to dig (land preparation), at noon you come home for meal

preparation for children, and in the evening you go to collect Shea nut as well as

gathering firewood”

Among the local communities in Magwi County, the Shea fruits were collected from

under the mother tree by hand picking and only fallen fruits were collected as dictated by

local tradition. For domestic consumption, it was the responsibility of women and

12

children to collect and process the Shea nuts while men were only involved in the

commercial aspect of it.

The average quantity of Shea nuts collected by a household per season was far below the

production capacity of the natural forests. The reason being, collection was basically for

subsistence since the local communities in Magwi had no access to reliable market for the

Shea nuts and its products. Therefore there was under exploitation of this useful resource

which would otherwise contribute to improve livelihood in the county.

Among the local community in Magwi County, the Shea plant was well known for its oil

and fruits which supplemented the main sources of food – beyond these, not much was

known about the use of the plant. On average 3kgs of Shea nut yielded 2 liters of oil

using the local technology. All households interview produced butter from Shea nut for

domestic consumption and for sale (table 3.2).

Among the local communities in Magwi County, after collection, the fresh fruits were

eaten while the spoiled ones were macerated and the nuts dried. The dry nuts were

roasted, pounded, ground and the boiled in water to extract the butter which could then be

used for preparing soup, porrage, or treating skin rushes among other uses. From the

butter, soap and cosmetics could be made but only few people were aware of this use.

The fruit is ground made into cake and dried. Extract from the nuts is used for treating

diarrhea and abdominal worms.

3.2.2: Marketing of Shea Products in Magwi County

Although collection and processing of Shea nuts in Magwi County had been largely for

subsistence, some household were able to produce surplus for sale. However the

marketing arrangement remains unclear and individual marketing prevailed. Shea butter

sells more highly than the Shea nuts and the prices varied from one market place to

another as on Fig.3.2.2 below. In Panyikwara, 1 small mug (1/2 Kg) of seeds was being

sold at 1sudanes pound and I basin of dry seeds at 20 pounds, where as in Moli 1 debbe

(10kg) was sold at 10 Sudanese pounds and 2 Kg bowl went at 3 Sudanese pounds. In

Agoro a bucket of about 8 kg of the seeds was sold at 4 Sudanese pounds and 1 mug of

oil (1/2 l) was sold at 3 pounds.

3.2.3 Shea Marketing channels identified by the community

There were three marketing channels identified as follows;

1. Women driven channel

• Collectors - Small traders - Small processors - Domestic consumers

2. Local Company driven channel

13

• Collectors-- Small traders/Local produces -Bulkers - Industrial processors - Butter

exporters

3. Exporters driven

• Collectors - Small traders/Local produces - Nut Bulkers - Nut Exporters

Fig. 2 Prices variation of Shea nut and Shea butter by location

The sale of Shea nuts and Shea butter provided a valuable source of income which a few

households used to pay for their children’s education locally or in the neighboring

country Uganda. Such household were also able to use the income from sale of Shea nuts

and Shea butter to meet other basic needs like; clothing, medication, and transport among

others. However much could be achieved from the Shea if market information was

available to the local community.

3.2.4 Other sources of income among the local communities in Magwi

Besides sale of Shea nuts and Shea butter, there were other sources of income available to

the local communities in Magwi County (table 3.2). the fell under the categories of farm

produce, harvesting and sale of other non timber forest products, skilled and unskilled

labour. The details of which is shown on the graph below.

14

Fig. 3 Other Sources of household income in Magwi County

3.3 Seasonal Calendar

The above activities are distributed seasonally through out the year. The most dominant

activity being crop cultivation which takes place fairly through out the year. However,

seasons such as November –Feb have little agricultural activities hence the community

gets involved in other diverse activities such as hunting, sale of bamboo etc.

Table 4 Seasonal calendar of community level economic activities

Activities Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Land

preparation for

agriculture

Crop planting

Shea

harvesting

Crop

harvesting

Construction

work (house

repairs)

Others

15

Farm produce provided the major source of income and provides notable opportunity for

future expansion across the county given the fertile soils and reliable rainfall. Petty trade

on non food item purchased from Uganda was also common among household in Magwi

County. Other items traded included Crops, Game meat, honey, reeds, building pole,

mats, reeds, grass ropes and traditional tools especially by the poor.

3.3 Indigenous knowledge in management and utilization of shea

The Acoli and Madi of Magwi County believed that Forests and its resources especially

Vitellaria tree were God given as such some cultural values were attached it.

Traditionally, vitellaria plant was known for its food value, pharmaceutical value, and

economic benefits (Table3.3). This knowledge was been transmitted orally from

generation to generation.

Table 5 Indigenous knowledge of shea

S/No Knowledge (IK) Field of application No. of households

practicing the IK

(%)

1 Cutting of Vitellaria tree is an abomination Nature conservation 100.00

2 Only fallen fruits are collected -do- 100.00

3 Utilization is regulated by traditional laws -do- 60.00

4 Extraction of butter from Shea nuts Human nutrition

5 Manufacture of local salt from oil by products -do- 50.00

6 Manufacturing of cake from Shea fruits -do- 70.00

7 Oil residue used as termite repellant Plant protection (Agric) 75.00

8 Oil used to treat skin rushes Primary Health care 95.00

9 oil drunk to prevent coldness -do- 48.33

10 Extract from seeds, leaves, bark & roots use to

treat diarrhea and intestinal worms

-do- 71.67

11 Latex used to treat wounds -do- 65.00

12 Fruits used as bate in animal traps Hunting 36.67

13 Butter residue used to preserve wooden handle Carpentry 51.67

12 Latex used as glue -do- 41.67

16

It was a common knowledge among the Acholi that, when a vitellaria tree was cut down,

the whole village experiences severe drought hence hunger. Only fallen fruits were

collected because people believed that any one who falls from the tree dies instantly.

Such superstitions besides the traditional laws of which the traditional landlord was a

custodian, contributed a great deal to conservation of this useful resource.

The same harvesting and processing and handling technology were practiced all over the

county: Harvesting was done by gathering fruits that fell on the ground in a bowl,

emptying it in sacs, which were then transported home on the head for preliminary

processing. Processing of the Butter involves the following stages:

- The fruit pulp (pericarp) is removed, eaten or preserved

- The seed is dried and then unshelled (polished)

- The seeds are roasted

- The roasted seeds are pounded and ground to increase surface area

- The paste is boiled in water until the water evaporates, leaving the oil that is then

decanted

Dried and shelled seeds were either stored in the granary where it is kept warm by

covering it with millet stray, in bags and piled in store or in bags and hung over the oven

in the kitchen.

Traditionally, the local communities had the knowledge of extracting butter from Shea

nuts, cake from the fruit and medicine from leaves, roots, bark and nuts of vitellaria

plant. Such knowledge has developed and continues to develop locally and is being

transmitted orally from generation to generation.

17

3.4 Constraint to management and utilization of Vitellaria Plnts in Magwi County

The major factor limiting the potential of Vitellaria spp in enhancing livelihood in Magwi

County was market access and control which affected over 90% of the households

interviewed (figure 3.4). The least being poor transport and communication as on Figure

3.4 below.

Fig. 4 Factors affecting utilization of shea nut/butter

There was a small internal market provided by people who cannot collect or process Shea

nuts due to physical disability or old age. External buyer occasionally travelled from

Torit and Juba to buy the Shea nuts/butter. The locals most often sold as individuals and

not groups reducing their bargaining power. Beside poor conditions of the feeder roads in

the county further narrowed access to markets. Local traders were very few for the

reason; people had no access to soft loans hence lacked capital for setting up a business.

Poor processing, handling and storage resulting from lack of technical knowhow and

poor technology among communities in Magwi County had affected the quality of

products as such products could not compute favorably in the market.

18

3.4 Challenges in marketing shea in Magwi

The current marketing problem/constraints facing by local community at Magwi are;

� Very limited access to markets for Shea product ( process and non process)

� Existing market system is not well developed.

� There are no activities on product diversification and value addition in Magwi

County. At present shea nuts are processed into crude butter at the household level for

local consumption. The traditional procedure is tedious and time consuming,

physically exhausting and requires large quantities of fuel wood and water - resources

that are often scarce at local level.

3.5 Institutions with potentials to support the shea sector

Currently the institutions that are active in shea promotion at Magwi County and

providing potentials for the development of shea support project include:

• MASRA

• AAH-I

• Windows for Sudan

• Native Technology

• FAO

• Lulu works (funded by MEDIC)

• SNV

• Magwi county

• Sudan venture

Some of these NGOs such as MASRA and AAH-I are already implementing some

activities in shea while some of them have shown high interest in supporting the local

communities in developing the Shea for income and livelihoods program in Magwi.

19

CHAPTER FOUR

4. Conclusions and Recommendations

In this chapter, we drive conclusions from the findings discussed in the previous chapter.

Considering the field level situation and current need of community, the following follow

up activities required at different level.

4.1 Appropriate policy advocacy on Government policy:

One clear finding from this study is the importance of government policy on shea

production and marketing. There is no clear regulation on shea production and marketing

of the market as well as conservations. Literally number of returnees currently settled are

collecting nuts during the silent hunger season in order to bridge this crucial period for

food security. They are typically very poor, with little education, hardly organized and

extremely vulnerable to food insecurity. In this context, this study suggests to establish

clear policy framework this sector.

� Analysis of supply side constrains and demand side constraints in detail and research

on markets is required to understand the complete market chain of Shea butter,

� Increase the understanding at both micro and micro level on commercial

Opportunities of she butter production and marketing

4.2 Market information system for shea business:

� As market prices for shea is highly fluctuating. There is no system of market price

monitoring mechanism at community level. Local market prices system is required to

inform local collectors and processors. The following approaches are suggested for

strengthening market information in the community:

� Linkages to various local, regional and international markets

� Periodic detailed market assessment – to a certain changes in the market

� Cross learning on the activities – exposure visits

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4.3 General conclusions and recommendations

• The density of the shea in the sample areas indicates that there is high potential in the

sustained supply of the nuts.

• There is need to enforce regulations and Enact new laws to safeguard the forest as it

is viable source of income for the population besides production of other products for

house holds needs.

• Markets for nuts and oil if availed could encourage shea nut collection from the

forests if a lot of the nuts are just left on forest floor.

• Prospects for enrichment planting and domestication of the shea trees should be

considered through agro forestry systems.

• Consideration should be given to the value addition to the products of the shea tress,

so that attractive prices are made to the collectors.

• Possibilities of the making protective clothing available to the collectors of the nuts

needs to be taken into account. (beneficiaries for these should pay some of the cost).

• Research to establish the active ingredients in the oil extraction waste said to be a

termite repellent needs to be undertaken

• There is need to follow up the research with appropriate interventions, as the

communities are now very expectant on assistance.

• The management of shea trees could be combined with bee-keeping.

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APPENDICS

Appendix 1: Work plan

WEEKS ACTIVITIES

1st 2

nd 3

rd 4

th

Research team travels to site X

Meeting with local leaders X

Meeting with target group X X

Data collection from the forest X

Cross checking data obtained

Traveling back to station

Data processing

Data analysis

Report writing

Presenting report

The study was conducted during the period 1st to 15

th of May 2008

Appendix 2: The Budget

S/NO ITEM

Unit

Cost Unit

Number

of Days

Total

SP

1 Feeding 50 4 7 1,400.00

2 Per diem 100 3 7 2,100.00

3 Memory card

100 1 1 100.00

4 Dry cells 30 12 1 360.00

5 Report writing

50 1 10 500.00

6 Miscellaneous

448 1 1 448.00

Total 4,908.00

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Appendix 3

Other local tree species common with shea trees and their uses

The other tree species in the forests of Magwi County living in coexistence with shea

trees included the following among others:

Other tree species and their uses

Name uses

1. Anona spp edible fruits, hoe handles

2. Dini spp (local name) curving construction folk poles

3. Grewia spp ropes, tools handles

4. Sterculia spp ropes

5. Tereminalia spp poles

6. Vitex spp fruits edible, fuel wood.

7. Aminocardia spp construction poles, fuel wood

8. Ficus spp partial shades in crop fields,

9. Albizia spp Tools handles, construction, fuel wood.

10. Piliostigma spp medicinal and fuel wood

11. Acacia spp agriculturally multi purposed tree

12. Cactus spp

13. Khaya spp Timber, medicinal

14. Afzelia spp Timber

15. Zizuphus- Edible fruits, construction, medicinal

16. Borrasus Edible fruits, construction

17. Larwecho Taditionally for blessing purpose

18. Landofolia Edible fruits