Email this article 
Assessment of Forest Conservation Practices among Women Shea Nut Collectors in Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria
Abstract
Concerns over unsustainable harvesting of shea butter trees and consequent forest degradation in Kwara State, Nigeria, highlight the need to focus on women shea collectors as key actors in conservation and restoration. This study assessed forest conservation practices (FCPs) among women shea collectors in Baruten Local Government Area, examining their socioeconomic profiles, information sources, knowledge, usage, and constraints. A probability‑based, two‑stage stratified cluster sampling with proportional allocation selected 150 women shea collectors. Data were collected via structured interview schedules and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression to identify socioeconomic determinants of FCPs usage. Findings show the most frequently used practices were establishment of protected areas (mean = 4.38), forest fire management (mean = 3.15), and controlled burning (mean = 3.14); the least utilized were sustainable logging practices (mean = 2.17), forest restoration projects (mean = 1.87), and agroforestry (mean = 1.58). Major constraints included fire outbreaks (mean = 3.19), indiscriminate logging (mean = 3.11), and grazing by Fulani herders (mean = 2.34). Multiple regression revealed significant associations between FCP usage and age (p = 0.000), education (p = 0.000), average monthly income (p = 0.007), and household size (p = 0.000). Older and married collectors showed greater adoption of FCPs. The study concludes that women shea collectors are active participants in conservation but face ecological and socio-institutional barriers. It recommends that strengthening awareness and training on underutilized practices like agroforestry and sustainable logging, delivered through trusted community-based channels, could enhance conservation outcomes and resilience among shea nut collectors.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Acheampong, E. O., Macgregor, C. J., Sloan, S., & Sayer, J. (2019). Deforestation is driven by agricultural expansion in Ghana’s forest reserves. Scientific African, 5, e00146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2019.e00146
Adams, A. M., Abudulai, I., & Bashiru, M. (2016). The shea industry and rural livelihoods among women in the Wa Municipality, Ghana. Journal of Social Science Studies, 3(2), 40–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.5296/jsss.v3i2.8706
Ajeigbe, A. O. (2020). Assessment of academic and non-academic staff health releated status among selected university in Kwara State, Nigeria (Master's thesis). Nigeria: Kwara State University. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/openview/4c4f4ec9d8a8c5800474d9c548309d9f/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2026366&diss=y
Akatwetaba, D., Okello, D. M., Kasharu, A., Egeru, A., & Mugonola, B. (2024). Determinants of shea nut marketing arrangements in northern Uganda. Discover Agriculture, 2(1), 61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44279-024-00085-4
Archibald, S., Lehmann, C. E., Gómez-Dans, J. L., & Bradstock, R. A. (2013). Defining pyromes and global syndromes of fire regimes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(16), 6442–6447. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1211466110
Ayelazuno, R. A., & Yaro, J. A. (2024). Shea butter livelihoods and challenges faced by women in the Kassena Nankana Districts, Ghana. SN Social Sciences, 4(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-023-00810-8
Baba, K. M., Nmadu, J. N., Sallawu, H., Gana, A. S., Salaudeen, M. T., Osunde, Z. D., & Okafor, J. O. (2026). Gender and socio-cultural dimensions of shea tree economy in Nigeria. South Asian Journal of Social Studies and Economics, 23(2), 100–116. https://doi.org/10.9734/sajsse/2026/v23i21266
Beaujon Marin, A., & Kuriakose, A. T. (2017). Gender and sustainable forest management: Entry points for design and implementation. Climate Investment Funds. Retrieved from https://www.cif.org/sites/cif_enc/files/knowledge-documents/gender_and_sustainable_forest_management.pdf
Choungo Nguekeng, P. B., Hendre, P., Tchoundjeu, Z., Kalousová, M., Tchanou Tchapda, A. V., Kyereh, D., ... & Lojka, B. (2021). The current state of knowledge of shea butter tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertner) for nutritional value and tree improvement in West and Central Africa. Forests, 12(12), 1740. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12121740
Dery, M., Bangmarigu, M., Agboka, K., Bah, A., & Sawaneh, M. (2025). The impacts of climate change on livelihoods in northern Ghana: Could shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) ecosystem services be a Panacea? American Journal of Climate Change, 14, 413–436. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajcc.2025.142021
Duguma, L. A., Nzyoka, J., Obwocha, E., Minang, P., Wainaina, P., & Muthee, K. (2022). The forgotten half? Women in the forest management and development discourse in Africa: A review. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 5, 948618. https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2022.948618
Egbunonu, C. M., Ogunjimi, S. I., & Alabi, O. O. (2019). Assessment of rural women’s knowledge on usage of improved shea butter processing technologies in Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State. Ife Journal of Agriculture, 31(1), 30–40. Retrieved from https://ija.oauife.edu.ng/index.php/ija/article/view/133
Elias, M., & Carney, J. (2007). African shea butter: A feminized subsidy from nature. Africa, 77(1), 37–62. https://doi.org/10.3366/afr.2007.77.1.37
Evans, K., & Monterroso, I. (2021). Tools to improve inclusion in multistakeholder forums (MSFs). Bogor, Indonesia: Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). Retrieved from https://www.cifor-icraf.org/knowledge/publication/8257/
FAO. (2023). Indigenous peoples’ forest monitoring: AIM4Forests programme. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/in-action/aim4forests/activities/fores-monitoring-for-indigenous-peoples/en
Garba, I. D., & Muhammad-Lawal, A. (2020). The economic and constraints to shea tree conservation among the shea value chain actors in the North-Central, Nigeria. International Journal of Business Policy and Strategy Management, 7(1), 1–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.21742/ijbpsm.2020.7.1.01
Ghazoul, J., & Chazdon, R. (2017). Degradation and recovery in changing forest landscapes: A multiscale conceptual framework. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 42, 161–188. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-102016-060736
Herrera Calvo, P. M. (2024). Global land outlook: Thematic report on rangelands and pastoralists. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10568/151880
Ifegbesan, A., Annegarn, H. J., & Pendlebury, S. (2016). Gender relationships in forest resource utilization and conservation in Nigeria: Implications for environmental sustainability. Gender and Behaviour, 14(1), 6996–7010. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC192331
IPCC. (2019). Climate change and land: An IPCC special report on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems. Geneva: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/
Kareem, I. A., Sanni-Bamigbade, S. A., Adekola, O. A., & Abioye, T. M. (2025). Sustainable livelihood utilization of Vitellaria paradoxa (shea butter) among rural women in Afijio local government area of Oyo State, Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 9(5), 369–374. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2025-0905-3542
Kent, R. (2018). “Helping” or “appropriating”? Gender relations in shea nut production in northern Ghana. Society & Natural Resources, 31(3), 367–381. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2017.1382626
Klink, C. A., Sato, M. N., Cordeiro, G. G., & Ramos, M. I. M. (2020). The role of vegetation on the dynamics of water and fire in the cerrado ecosystems: Implications for management and conservation. Plants, 9(12), 1803. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121803
Ky-Dembele, C., Bayala, J., Boffa, J. M., Kalinganire, A., & Minang, P. A. (2021). Shea tree crop management in West Africa. Tree commodities and resilient green economies in Africa (pp. 1–22). Nairobi, Kenya: World Agroforestry (ICRAF). Retrieved from https://www.cifor-icraf.org/publications/downloads/Publications/PDFS/BC22038.pdf
Kpoviwanou Houndjo, M. R. J., Ouinsavi, C. A. N., Alaye, E. A., & Wédjangnon, A. A. (2025). Gendered trends and barriers in agroforestry adoption in Benin (West Africa). Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 526. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01366-8
Lama Hyolmo, S. (2025). Women in Ghana plant ‘diversion’ trees to protect shea trees and their livelihoods. Mongabay Conservation News. Retrieved from https://news.mongabay.com/2025/03/women-in-ghana-plant-diversion-trees-to-protect-Shea-trees-and-their-livelihoods/
Lovett, P. N. (2004). The shea butter value chain: Production, transformation, and marketing in West Africa. West African Regional Program (WARP), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272022672_The_Shea_Butter_Value_Chain_Production_Transformation_Marketing_in_West_Africa
Mohammed, A. W. A., Baah-Ennumh, T. Y., & RahimAbdulai, A. (2016). Role of the shea industry in the socio-economic lives of women in the West Mamprusi District of Northern Ghana. Journal of Social Science Research, 10(1), 1968–1977. https://doi.org/10.24297/jssr.v10i1.4756
Mukaila, R., Falola, A., Akanbi, S.-U. O., Aboaba, K. O., & Obetta, A. E. (2022). Drivers of poverty among rural women in Nigeria: Implications for poverty alleviation and rural development. The Journal of Rural and Community Development, 17(1), 32–48. Retrieved from https://journals.brandonu.ca/jrcd/article/view/1984
Mumin, A. A., Mordzeh-Ekpampo, M. I., Boasu, B. Y., Yahaya, T., & Abdulai, S. (2023). Assessing the challenges of shea butter processing on sustainable livelihood of women in the Sagnaregu Municipality of the northern region of Ghana. Journal of Social Science Studies, 10(1), 57–80. https://doi.org/10.5296/jsss.v10i1.20820
NBS. (2020). National living standard survey 2020. National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng/elibrary/read/1123
O'Connor, T. G., Puttick, J. R., & Hoffman, M. T. (2014). Bush encroachment in southern Africa: Changes and causes. African Journal of Range & Forage Science, 31(2), 67–88. https://doi.org/10.2989/10220119.2014.939996
Ogunfolaji, D., Komolafe, A. A., Olawole, M. O., & Adegboyega, S. A. (2025). Geospatial distribution and patterns of human security indicators in Kwara State, Nigeria. Osun Geographical Review, 7(1), 80–91. Retrieved from https://journals.uniosun.edu.ng/ogr/article/view/468
Onihunwa, J. O., Akande, O. A., Irunokhai, E. A., Mohammed, N., & Wealth, A. S. (2023). Challenges facing national park management: A case study of Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 27(11), 2439–2444. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v27i11.11
Pienaah, C. K., Baruah, B., Kansanga, M., & Luginaah, I. (2024). The impact of community-led conservation models on women’s nature-based livelihood outcomes in semi-arid Northern Ghana. Discover Environment, 2(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-024-00073-x
Reyes‐García, V., Fernández‐Llamazares, Á., McElwee, P., Molnár, Z., Öllerer, K., Wilson, S. J., & Brondizio, E. S. (2019). The contributions of indigenous peoples and local communities to ecological restoration. Restoration Ecology, 27(1), 3–8. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12894
Satish, P., Madiwalar, A. F., Lallawmkimi, M. C., Reddy, K. J., Parveen, S., Ashoka, P., ... & Anand, G. (2024). Agroforestry: Multifunctional benefits and implementation strategies. Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International, 28(10), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.9734/jgeesi/2024/v28i10821
Sene-Harper, A., Matarrita-Cascante, D., & Larson, L. R. (2019). Leveraging local livelihood strategies to support conservation and development in West Africa. Environmental Development, 29, 16–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2018.11.002
Ukuni, L. C. (2023). Gender and the implementation of REDD+ in Uganda. Implementing REDD+ in Africa: A human rights perspective (pp. 151–167). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-39397-6_8
Yan, Z., Guo, Y., Sun, B., Gao, Z., Qin, P., Li, Y., ... & Cui, H. (2024). Combating land degradation through human efforts: Ongoing challenges for sustainable development of global drylands. Journal of Environmental Management, 354, 120254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120254
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
