Shea Research in Ivory Coast for Sustainable Development

Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University, or UPGC, is currently acting as a leader in shea research to improve the living conditions of rural women in Ivory Coast through an increase in production and income from the processing and marketing of shea by-products in the face of food and nutritional insecurity. Their research also aims to sustainably include shea in the range of Ivorian export products.

Specific objectives of the research include: 

• Conserve shea genetic resources in Ivory Coast
• Creating highly productive shea varieties that are resistant to diseases and pests
• Develop agricultural technologies for the management of shea parks
• Promote products; shea by-products and co-products
• Train women to produce good quality shea butter for the food and cosmetic industries
• Strengthen the organizational capacities of primary actors in the shea sector
• Establish an international reference center for shea

More Information

For more information about this UPGC research project, go to the UPGC website or check out their relevant publication here.