Abstract
Rural women in Northern Ghana depend largely on indigenous forest resources, particularly Shea and locust bean trees as a major source of livelihood support. The fruits of these trees, are so essential to rural livelihoods that their collection and processing, are subjects of intense competition among rural women. Recent studies, however suggest a significant degradation of agroforestry parklands, and the population densities of Shea and locust bean trees. Using a case study approach, and employing participatory tools such as focus group discussions, interviews and structured observations, the study sought to unpack the experiences of rural women on the decline in these tree species, and examine how this new reality affects their major livelihood assets. The study found that, the decline in Shea and locust bean trees, affects the social, human and economic capital of rural women. Exploitation of other environmental resources, the use of improved Shea processing methods, and vegetable farming, were identified as major adaptation strategies among rural women. The study also found evidence of deep-seated historical and socio-economic factors militating against the successful adaptation of rural women. Consequently, the study highlighted the need for micro credit accessibility programmes, and gendered land tenure arrangements to support rural women in Agriculture. Keywords: Agroforestry parklands, Shea trees, Locust trees, Livelihoods, Rural women, Response mechanisms. DOI : 10.7176/JCSD/54-05 Publication date: December 31 st 2019
Highlights
The scientific consensus on the depletion of global environment in dramatic and unexpected ways is overwhelming (FAO, 2010)
The fact that, the principal livelihood activity and main income source of most women in the community is linked to these trees, and the rapid degradation of the community’s vegetation, locust and Shea trees, was what informed the choice of Sorugu as the study location
There was some unanimity among focus group participants that, Shea and locust trees are on a serious decline, and putting their livelihood on the brink
Summary
The scientific consensus on the depletion of global environment in dramatic and unexpected ways is overwhelming (FAO, 2010). The density of Shea and locust bean trees, which constitute a larger proportion of agroforestry parklands in Northern Ghana (Kent & Bakaweri, 2010; Poudyal, 2011), has not been spared by the ensuing environmental changes. Beyond the general narrative on the decline in forest resources, specific studies on Shea and locust bean trees, depict them as being largely “all female affairs” across the entire value chain (Chalfin, 2004; Elias et al 2006). These indigenous forest resources, play a critical role in the household economies of rural populations (Poudyal, 2011; Kent, 2018). Considered as gifts from God/gods, they play important roles in the survival strategies of dependent rural women (Schrekenberg, 2004)
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