1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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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

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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

7. 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

8. 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

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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

10. 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.

11. 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).

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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.

13. 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.

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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

15. 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

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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

17. 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

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• 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.

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

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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
WEEKSACTIVITIES
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
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 15th
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