Investigating Socially Sustainable Behaviour of Local Actors in the Supply Chain of Shea Butter in Rural Borgu, Nigeria: From a Role Theory Perspective

Sidikat Shitu,Oluwatoyin Muse Johnson Popoola

doi:10.52962/ipjaf.2017.1.1.2

Abstract

The Shea butter industry in Nigeria is fragmented, private-driven and less regulated. This paper explores the roles, practices, and behaviour of local supply chain stakeholders who mainly consist of rural women entrepreneurs that engage in Shea nut picking and Shea butter processing. Also, the research examines the local buying agents (LBA) who serve as the middlemen between the rural women and the exporters of Shea butter. This study deploys qualitative research design, guided by the Role theory. The study reveals that the rural women and the local buying agents are the key stakeholders who participate in the agricultural supply chain. Granting the fundamental principle of the sustainable supply chain, the findings indicate that the present active engagement and practices of these local stakeholders do not align with the principles of the sustainable supply chain. The study also exposes that factors such as gender disparity, weak access to financial support, and information asymmetry are major contributors to the present roles, practices, and behaviour of the local actors. The current study, therefore, put forward several recommendations to the Nigerian Government to encourage the construction of sustainable engagement and sustainable supply chain in the rural supply chain network.

Highlights

Shea butter is a natural oil or fat, which is extracted from the dried kernel of the Shea nuts derived from the fruit of the Shea trees (Lovett, 2004; Bup et al, 2012; Pouliot & Elias, 2013; Sidibe et al, 2014)
In Borgu, roles are determined by gender in the Shea butter industry
The practice of Shea nut collection is seasonal in Nigeria, the peak season for Shea nut collection is between the months of June and August

Summary

Introduction

Shea butter is a natural oil or fat, which is extracted from the dried kernel of the Shea nuts derived from the fruit of the Shea trees (Lovett, 2004; Bup et al, 2012; Pouliot & Elias, 2013; Sidibe et al, 2014). Its natural habitat stretches from West Africa through Central Africa and to some parts of the East African region It stretches from Senegal through the Central Africa Republic to Uganda (Lovett, 2004). In Borgu, among the Bussa people, the Shea tree is called Kuuli, Shea nut is known as Kuuwe, Shea Kernel is called Kuu, and Shea butter is referred to as Shii Nishi or Nishi Mina

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Conclusion