NARO turns to save trees

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In northern Uganda, researchers are transforming shea fruit into wine, juice and cosmetics — not just to create new products, but to protect a tree on the brink of extinction.

The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) is working with communities to exploit the economic potential of shea beyond charcoal.

Their efforts are shifting mindsets and opening new income streams, especially for women who have long harvested its nuts.

Shea is a hardwood species native to northern Uganda and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It is widely found in Otuke, Agago, Pader, Alebtong, Kitgum, Lamwo and Abim districts.

Traditionally valued for its butter used in cosmetics and cooking, the tree is now threatened by unsustainable practices — particularly felling for charcoal.

According to the National Environment Management Authority, Uganda has lost at least 3.6 million hectares of shea trees over the past 30 years to deforestation, land development and dry spells. The shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) is now classified as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

Currently, the price of charcoal is sh150,000 per bag in Lira city up from sh20,000 five years ago. It is now rarely available due to restrictions by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and Police.

Other interventions to protect the tree is value addition — from fruit to nut and encourage sustainable harvesting and processing of shea products that offer high returns.

Alexandria Acipa, a laboratory technician at Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (ZARDI), says the institute is innovating with products such as shea wine, juice, soap and lotion.

Raw materials are sourced from local communities at sh20,000 per 10kg basin. The introduction of shea wine and juice is part of a broader campaign to promote agro-based livelihoods in rural areas.

With these products gaining traction, NARO hopes the shea tree will be seen not as a source of charcoal, but a long-term economic opportunity.

Ngetta ZARDI has also launched outreach programmes to educate local farmers — particularly women — on post-harvest handling, quality control and product diversification.

She added that while the innovation is still in its early stages, plans are underway to scale it up and help communities appreciate the economic value of the shea tree. Meanwhile, NARO sciencists have discovered a technique to shorten the shea tree’s maturity and fruiting period.

Manager at Ngetta ZARDI John Mark Kodet says promoting grafted shea trees could help address environmental degradation and charcoal burning. The institute has planted over 200 grafted shea trees, which have started flowering.

Women leading the change

Harriet Akullo, the secretary of Can Omia Diro Women’s Group in Ogor sub-county, Otuke district, says several partners — including the National Agricultural Research Organisation, Kidepo Critical Landscape, Makerere University and NEMA, have trained them on the shea value chain.

Her group now produces shea lotions, jelly, cream, lip balm and soap. Florence Akello, the chairperson of the group in Awei village, says the depletion of shea and other indigenous species has declined, thanks to these interventions.

The group also received training from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. Francis Ario, a member of Bedigen Shea Nut Group in Olilim, Otuke, says Makerere University and Kidepo Critical Landscape trained their 30-member group.

They now produce shea oil for cooking, bar soap, lotion, body cream and tablet soap — selling locally and to markets in Kampala, Mbale and Kotido districts.

Prices are from sh25,000–30,000 per litre for cold-pressed oil, sh3,000–15,000 for lotion and sh5,000–10,000 for soap.

Ario says tree cutting for charcoal has stopped because of training and strict regulations.

Local council leaders now have authority to arrest anyone found cutting shea trees.