Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons^™

Understanding Farmers’ Perceptions And The Effects Of Shea Tree Vitellaria Paradoxa Distribution In Agroforestry Parklands Of The Upper West Region, Ghana, Fahimeh Baziari

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Agroforestry parklands represent a vast majority of the agricultural landscape under subsistent-oriented farming in semi-arid West Africa. Parklands are characterized by the growth of well- maintained trees (e.g., shea) on cultivated fields as a result of both environmental and human influences. Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) provides a cultural and economic benefit to the local people of Ghana, especially women. Periods between traditional fallow rotation systems have reduced recently due to agricultural development and a demand for higher production. As a result, shea trees, which regenerate during fallow periods, has decreased over the landscape. The aim of this study was …