The Quantity of Shea Nut Assessed, Collected and Processed Using Improved Shea Nut Processing Technologies in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the quantity of Shea nut Assessed, collected and processed using improved Shea nut processing technologies in Niger State. The specific objectives of study were to; describe the socio economic characteristics of the Shea nut processors, determine the quantities of Shea nut/butter produced by the processors and income generated, and examine the constraints faced by the processors in adopting Shea nut processing technologies in the study area. A total of 150 Shea nut processors were selected randomly. Primary data were collected and analyzed. The result revealed that Shea nut processing activities were mainly women business and that the processors collected above 500,000 kg of Shea nut from the wild plantation of Shea trees in their communities and processed above 800 kg into Shea butter in a year which served as a source of income. It is recommended that Shea stakeholders in processing and marketing should interact with Nigerian Institute for Oil palm Research (NIFOR) that has the national mandate on Shea tree research and development to produce sufficient quantity of hybrid/improved Shea tree seedling varieties for modern plantation establishments.