How Ghana cut shea tree growth time from 15 to five years
Al Jazeera · Just In
Al Jazeera
Just In
New grafting techniques allow trees to bear fruit in 3–5 years instead of 15. Researchers hope this breakthrough will strengthen livelihoods and meet rising global demand. The Shea industry supports over one million people across the country.
Breakdown
- Climate change is reducing shea tree yields in northern Ghana 7s
- Shea trees traditionally take 15 years to bear fruit 37s
- Grafting now allows trees to fruit in three to five years 55s
- Ghana exports up to 100,000 tonnes of shea products annually 1m 14s
- Researchers hope the breakthrough will transform the industry 1m 45s