Utilization of shea and dawadawa trees in Wa West District: actors, drivers and impact

Abstract

Economic trees play important role in household livelihood, sustainable land use, land rehabilitation and environmental sustainability as a whole. In the Wa West District, Shea and Dawadawa trees are key economic trees from which households rely on for living. However, the method and purpose of utilization of these economic trees creates conflicting objectives for different actors. Besdies, empirical studies on the utilization of economic tress in the area are limited, making it inconclusive how people exploit Shea and Dawadawa trees for their living. The purpose of this study was therefore, to examine the actors, drivers, and impact of shea and dawadawa trees utilization in the Wa West District. This is a descriptive study that drawn cross-sectional data from 185 households and key stakeholders in the Wa West District. The respondents were selected using probability and on-probability sampling procedures. The primary data were collected using questionnaire, interview schedule, and Focus Group Discussion. The results were analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods. The results indicate that the key actors of shea and dawadawa trees utilization are women, men, and children. Besides, some groups of people that play key roles in the utilization of these trees include shea nut processors, dawadawa processors, chainsaw operators, charcoal producers, farmers, estate developers, carvers, and Fulani herdsmen. The activities they engaged in include; dawadawa processing, shea nut picking, processing and selling, Shea butter processes and soap making, medication, firewood gathering, tree logging and charcoal burning/production. These activities serves as livelihood activities, food and income generation for households in the area. On the other hand, utilization of the trees has negative impact on the environment such as destruction of economic trees, bushfires, and deforestation. This threatens the lives of those whose livelihoods are entirely dependent on the environment. The study concludes that rural households depend on the natural assets of their immediate environment but the current methods of utilization by key actors have not been sustainable and future development potentials from utilization of these trees will soon be lost. The weakness associated with local and state institutions has translated into the mode of operations of key actors in the utilization of economic trees. The findings of the study have implication for policy for the sustainability of livelihood activities, traditional medicine and environment of the area.