Enhancing Effectiveness of Extension Efforts: A Case Study of Malian Shea Butter Producers

Abstract

The researchers conducted an ethnographic case study in three villages in Mali (West Africa) to ascertain shea butter producers’ perceptions toward technologies that improve the efficiency of shea butter production. The study revealed that the appropriateness of time and labor saving technologies for Malian women who produce shea butter depended on: 1) the relative cost of the technologies; 2) the accessibility of information on new technologies; 3) the arduousness of the work avoided; 4) the economic status of the households and of the women’s associations; and 5) the productivity of the participants in other economic activities. The study confirmed the conclusions of previous researchers who noted that external technical assistance from developed countries played a vital catalytic role in upgrading traditional technologies. Top-down technical assistance was not the best dissemination means. Participants preferred producer-led training along with visual aids. New shea butter processing technologies were requested by participants, and an understanding of the local context for technology application as well as a strong field presence of trainers during designing and testing was important for dissemination.