Shea trees are an incredible resource, providing benefits for generations. However, farming expansion, charcoal production, and changing land use are threatening their survival — and the knowledge needed to protect them. The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List now classifies shea trees as vulnerable, with more than half their population lost in recent generations.
The shea tree, also known as the “Tree of Life,” is essential in West Africa, especially in Burkina Faso, where about 800,000 tons of shea nuts are harvested each year, according to the United Nations. Women are central to the shea supply chain, earning up to 80% of their income from selling shea nuts and making shea butter.
However, the shea tree population is declining due to deforestation, unsustainable farming, and changing weather patterns like drought, which has caused up to 40% loss of seedlings in some areas. Traditional farming methods can’t replace the lost trees fast enough, threatening the livelihoods of rural women and the Sahel ecosystem. Many women also lack legal rights to the land they farm, making it harder to invest in restoring trees. While local leaders and non-governmental organizations are pushing for land reforms to grant women ownership or leases, progress remains slow.
Even with the challenges, new initiatives are bringing in regenerative agroforestry practices to help restore the environment while supporting economic growth.
The shea tree is also an essential part of northern Ghana’s environment and economy, especially in the Upper West region. However, shea trees are disappearing at an alarming rate due to human activities such as illegal logging, mechanized farming, bushfires, pests, and declining pollination. This loss affects ecosystems and threatens the livelihoods of communities depending on the tree.
A study exploring the reasons behind the decline of shea trees, highlights practical, women-led solutions. Short-term measures include farmer-managed natural regeneration, beekeeping to boost pollination, restoring shea landscapes, and providing credit plans to support women farmers. For the long term, strategies like creating conservation zones and developing drought-resistant shea varieties are critical. The research emphasizes the importance of supportive policies that address these challenges while prioritizing women’s leadership in conservation efforts.
In northern Uganda’s Pader district, farmers are striving to protect shea parklands, which have supported communities for generations. These parklands blend farming with nature, using traditional methods to grow crops and care for shea trees. Research published in Agroforestry Systems shows this approach improves soil health, retains moisture, and increases crop yields.
Despite a 2018 ban on cutting and selling shea trees, charcoal dealers in northern Uganda are still selling them in large numbers. Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall are worsening the problem, as the trees produce less fruit, and farmers rely on selling the wood for extra income.
According to the World Economic Forum, shea farming directly supports 16 million rural women, whose livelihoods depend on shea trees, generating $200 million annually. For many women, it’s their only source of income in a patriarchal society, especially during seasons when other crops aren’t ready to harvest. This income helps pay for food, clothing, school fees, medical care, and even supports their farms. Shea is more than a crop — it’s a lifeline for these women and their communities.
