Assessing the Effects of Deforestation on Shea Nut Oil Productivity in Otuke District Case Study: Anepkide Parish in Olilim Sub-County

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of deforestation on shea nut oil production in Otuke district, with the case study of Anepkide Parish, Olilim sub-county, Otuke District.

The research design was descriptive and cross sectional in nature. The research used a sample size of forty (40) participants both probability and non-probability sampling methods. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources using questionnaires and was analysed using frequency tables and percentages to test the relationship between deforestation and shea nut oil production.

The research shows that deforestation exists with adverse effects on the environment like soil degradation, loss of soil fertility and destruction of the biodiversity. As a result of this, indigenous tree species like the shea nut tree have been destroyed and thus depriving the community of the would be benefits from some of its products like; medicinal use of the fruit, skin nourishment from the oil and fruits eaten as source of food.

The study therefore recommends that apart from harnessing the role of all stakeholders, broad public participation also helps put national bodies and governments on the right track because in most cases they often signed agreements and set up laws yet they lack the political will or commitment to enforce these at local level. Therefore there‟s need for all the stakeholders to come together in order to find sustainable solution to this scourge.

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