Ouagadougou: Shea, a non-timber forest product, is an important source of income for many families in the commune of Bourasso, particularly during the lean season. The sale of shea kernels and shea butter allows them to meet their basic needs. On Saturday, August 22, 2026, a visit to the village of Sikoro, known for its high shea production potential, provided insight into the realities of this activity, which is primarily carried out by women.

According to Burkina Information Agency, shea is one of Sikoro's main non-timber forest products and is not directly cultivated by the local population. However, the trees that grow naturally in the fields are preserved due to their economic value, thus promoting the formation of veritable "shea parks." Shea butter, produced from shea nuts, is an important source of income for many families, especially the most vulnerable, at a time when financial resources are scarce to meet basic needs.

'Last year, the income from the sale of shea butter allowed my family to provide for themselves after the resettlement of the village. This year again, this activity helps us to cope with daily expenses and ensure our subsistence,' testifies the notable Annicet Tiawara. For Rose Coulibaly, nuts and shea butter also constitute an essential source of income during the lean season. "Since we were unable to cultivate enough last year, it is the nuts and shea butter that are keeping my family alive during these lean times," she maintains.

Ms. Coulibaly indicates that the income from the sale of shea butter has notably allowed her to take care of her children's schooling. "This year I can earn at least 50,000 CFA francs, because shea production was less than last year," she explains. Beyond its economic importance, shea butter is used as a culinary ingredient, in traditional medicine and for cosmetic purposes. It also plays a role in certain maternal care and cultural practices related to the protection of the newborn. These multiple uses reinforce the importance of preserving shea in communities.

'Here, we protect the shea tree. It is forbidden to cut it down for any reason whatsoever. Anyone who cuts it down is subject to heavy penalties,' says the chief of the village of Sikoro, Dabou Coulibaly. Thus, shea occupies an important place in the lives of local communities, where economy, culture, food and traditional practices are intertwined. Faced with a growing demand for shea butter, the valorization of this forest resource appears as both an economic and environmental challenge, particularly to support the income and empowerment of women.