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Household food security, economic empowerment, and the social capital of women’s shea butter production in Mali

Author

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  • Colleen C. Naughton

    (University of South Florida)

  • Tara F. Deubel

    (University of South Florida)

  • James R. Mihelcic

    (University of South Florida)

Abstract

Shea butter, an edible oil and lotion produced primarily by women in over twenty-one countries in sub-Saharan Africa and consumed locally and exported internationally, can contribute considerably to achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This study investigated the importance of shea butter to women and their families for food security, household economy, women’s empowerment, and social capital. It highlights the vital social value of shea butter in cooperative labor for production, gifting customs among women, and traditional and religious ceremonies. In addition, this study identifies critical opportunities for and obstacles to further market expansion. Based on a mixed methods approach employed in Mali from 2009 to 2014, this study included participant observation, interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions as well as shea tree mapping and weighing of shea and firewood. Major challenges that exist for shea market expansion and food security potential include climate change and globalization of other competing world edible oils. Nevertheless, there are promising opportunities for the shea market with the extensive shea tree distribution, growth of consumer support for environmentally and socially conscious products, and capacity building efforts of rural shea nut collectors and butter producers by the Global Shea Alliance.

Suggested Citation

  • Colleen C. Naughton & Tara F. Deubel & James R. Mihelcic, 2017. "Household food security, economic empowerment, and the social capital of women’s shea butter production in Mali," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 9(4), pages 773-784, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:9:y:2017:i:4:d:10.1007_s12571-017-0706-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s12571-017-0706-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rousseau, Karen & Gautier, Denis & Wardell, D. Andrew, 2015. "Coping with the Upheavals of Globalization in the Shea Value Chain: The Maintenance and Relevance of Upstream Shea Nut Supply Chain Organization in Western Burkina Faso," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 413-427.
    2. United Nations, 2016. "The Sustainable Development Goals 2016," Working Papers id:11456, eSocialSciences.
    3. Godfred Seidu Jasaw & Osamu Saito & Kazuhiko Takeuchi, 2015. "Shea ( Vitellaria paradoxa ) Butter Production and Resource Use by Urban and Rural Processors in Northern Ghana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-23, March.
    4. Martin, Katie S & Rogers, Beatrice L & Cook, John T & Joseph, Hugh M, 2004. "Social capital is associated with decreased risk of hunger," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 58(12), pages 2645-2654, June.
    5. Perakis, Sonja Melissa, 2009. "Improving the Quality of Women’s Gold in Mali, West Africa: The Case of Shea," Graduate Research Master's Degree Plan B Papers 51703, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
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    2. Blesh, Jennifer & Hoey, Lesli & Jones, Andrew D. & Friedmann, Harriet & Perfecto, Ivette, 2019. "Development pathways toward “zero hunger”," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 1-14.
    3. Phemelo Tamasiga & Helen Onyeaka & Adenike Akinsemolu & Malebogo Bakwena, 2023. "The Inter-Relationship between Climate Change, Inequality, Poverty and Food Security in Africa: A Bibliometric Review and Content Analysis Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-35, March.
    4. Zabentungwa T. Hlongwane & Rob Slotow & Thinandavha C. Munyai, 2021. "The Role of Edible Insects in Rural Livelihoods, and Identified Challenges in Vhembe District, Limpopo, South Africa," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-14, December.

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