Understanding farmers’ perceptions and the effects of shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) tree distribution in agroforestry parklands of Upper West Region, Ghana

Shea tree agroforestry systems in Northern Ghana: Population structure, management of trees and impact of canopy microclimate

“…For example, a study showed that shea tree densities of 12 and 36 trees/ha, which are similar to or slightly lower than the densities found in this study, caused higher sorghum yields on eld scale than on areas without shea trees (Boffa et al 2000). Other studies found that the income from shea nuts may outweigh the downsides of keeping shea trees in the farmlands (Baziari et al 2019;Gnanglè et al 2013;Seghieri 2019). Co-cultivation of crops and trees also provides the bene t of diversi cation of subsistence and income sources, an approach that is deeply rooted in the local historical and cultural contexts (Kuyah et al 2020;Quandt et al 2019).…”

“…However, it is widely agreed upon that shea trees, due to human selection, are semidomesticated species (Hale et al 2021; Martial et al 2020; Yao et al 2020). According to local farmers in Northern Ghana, they select which shea trees are wanted on their lands based on yields, health, size, growth, age, competition with crops and spacing allowing for mechanical soil preparation (Baziari et al 2019; Lovett and Haq 2000).…”

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

“…It is the essential dietary lipid within the shea parkland; it provides a characteristic taste to traditional dishes [34]. As a feedstock, the shea kernel is also traded internationally to meet industrial demands within the confectionery, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries [24,70,87]. Shea butter is traditionally used to treat arthritis due to the presence of compounds with anti-inflammatory bioactivity.…”

“…Growing shea trees in agroforestry plantations impact the microclimate positively. Due to trees shading effects, there is an essential effect on the soil moisture content, leading to higher crop yields [87]. Some researchers have observed higher fruit yields in cultivated fields with shea trees compared with naturally fallow land.…”

Occurrence and ecological habitat effect on Vitellaria paradoxa (C. F. Gaertn.) parasitism: implication for pest management and plant conservation

“…is a tree of the Sudanese savannas whose distribution area is endemic to the region from Senegal to Ethiopia ( Pye, 1985 ) crossing 21 countries ( Boffa, 2015 ; Naughton et al., 2015 ) over a ceinture of 6000 km (Okullo et al., 2004; Sanou et al., 2004 ), Shea butter is part of the short list of privileged agro-forestry speculations that has caught the attention of leaders of West African countries in general and Benin in particular for agricultural development ( N'Djolossè et al., 2012 ) and a reduction of the poverty in local environment through the creation of income-generating activities. Shea trees plays the three roles of natural resources, namely: (i) economic role through the enhancement of shea butter ( Baziari et al., 2019 ); environmental role through the fertilizing power of its leaves in agroforestry systems and (iii) social role as a plant of the traditional pharmacopoeia ( Tom-Dery et al., 2018 ). The organs of shea trees, and important parts of the tree such as the trunk, are used to produce raw materials for modern medicine, cosmetics and crafts ( Bayala et al., 2002 ).…”