ABSTRACT
The productivity of shea parklands in Burkina Faso has been declining over the past decade. This has affected women’s livelihoods, since shea products provide the bulk of women’s income. This chapter explores how shea parkland systems can regain vitality and contribute to local livelihoods. The study is based on a literature review and a survey of 150 households on parklands management. The results show that two key factors can contribute to reversing declining productivity trends. First, partial pruning of parasite-infested trees, total pruning of old trees and grafting onto young plants all result in healthier trees and higher fruit production. These measures benefit women’s incomes. Second, practicing assisted natural regeneration increases tree canopy cover and soil fertility, which results in more stable crop production. Where introduced, these tree management techniques were found effective, while population increase and demand for food crops reduced parkland area and reduced tree density in shea parklands. Multifunctional shea parklands could better contribute to food security in semi-arid West Africa if land tenure regulations, particularly regarding women’s land-ownership status, were to allow pruning of trees, and if policies were introduced to boost women’s skills in nut processing and trading.
