THE STRIDES IN SHEA INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA

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1 THE STRIDES IN SHEA INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA A PAPER PRESENTED BY JIBRIL BOKANI USMAN, SECRETARY GENERAL, NATIONAL SHEA PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (NASPAN) AT THE 7TH GLOBAL SHEA ALLIANCE CONFERENCE IN ABIDJAN COTE D IVOIRE ON THE 24TH 27TH MARCH 2014

2 In the last few years, the awareness and the potentials of the value of shea in Niger is increasing. The she producing communities are benefiting from this God gift. The Federal Government and some of the 21 shea producing states are now using it to fight poverty and women empowerment. There are different levels of interventions from Government to developmental partners which is deepening the knowledge and creating awareness on shea products processing and handling. The harmonization of these levels of interventions will help in maximizing the benefit and eliminate duplication of activities by different actors. The establishment and subsequent inauguration of National Shea Products Association of Nigeria (NASPAN) has being able to make meaningful progress in this direction. NASPAN is the national umbrella body for all activities partnering Shea products within the value chain in Nigeria and recognised by government. NASPAN usually undertake its activities through different interested stakeholders which include both the private and public sectors, individuals and institutions.

3 Through the engagement of government of Shea producing states and Federal Government agencies we are making the desired impact. As this make them to realize the potentials of Shea in poverty alleviation, economic empowerment of rural women and communities, environmental protection, checking ruralurban migration and social harmony in communities.

4 ACTIVITIES IN THE SHEA INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA There are several activities that are taking and will take place at different levels in Nigeria. These activities are all geared towards making positive impacts in the Shea industry in Nigeria.

5 The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as part of its intervention programme in agricultural commodities organized a national seminar in Niger State. The out come of the seminar necessitated the formation of a technical committee to develop a working document that will assist the Federal Government to establish a National Shea Development Programme. The technical committee has since submitted its report, while CBN has forwarded the report to Hon Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. A committee has being set up under the leadership of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to study the technical report before finally submitting to the Federal Executive Council for approval. When approved and faithfully implemented this will definitely impact positively on the industry.

6 NATIONAL SHEA CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION - NASPAN organized its first national shea conference and exhibition with the there Shea, the hidden treasure for 2 days on 4 th 5 th December 2012 in Minna. The conference was aimed at sensitizing the general public of the potentials in shea. It was well attended and created platform for interaction, exchange of ideas and sharing best practices and commerce. This year conference will hold in Makurdi, Benue State in April. NASPAN has also decided that the conference will now hold every year in any of the 21 Shea producing States.

7 2013 GLOBAL SHEA ALLIANCE CONFERENCE The 2013 GSA conference that held in Abuja in 2013 was organized in collaboration with NASPAN. It was first of its kind because NASPAN was able to mobilize both human and materials resources for the success of the conference through its stakeholders from both private and public sectors. The conference created a lot of awareness and interest about the shea industry.

8 The Green Guard initiative: NASPAN observed that charcoal merchants are destroying the Shea tress and decided to bring the attention of some state governments to it. As one of major supporters of shea industry in Nigeria, the Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu established an outfit with name Green Guards. As part of their functions of protecting forest resources, the Governor specifically mandated them to give shea a special attention. This is yielding the desired results.

9 COSMETIC FORMULATION TRAINING NASPAN in collaboration with GSA and five shea producing states of Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna and FCT organized a shea cosmetic formulation training. The objectives of the training is to build capability of small scale cosmetic women producers in order that they became efficient in producing high quality products, understanding formulation concepts and design, improve knowledge in cosmetic formulation techniques, packaging labeling and create job opportunities for several women in the participating states.

10 COSMETIC FORMULATION TRAINING NASPAN in collaboration with GSA and five shea producing states of Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna and FCT organized a shea cosmetic formulation training. The objectives of the training is to build capability of small scale cosmetic women producers in order that they became efficient in producing high quality products, understanding formulation concepts and design, improve knowledge in cosmetic formulation techniques, packaging labeling and create job opportunities for several women in the participating states.

11 SHEA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT NASPAN in collaboration with National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) signed a memorandum of understanding (NOU) in November 2013 to start a development project in shea. The programme entails. i. Training on processing of good quality nuts ii. Provision of simple sheabutter processing machineries to women groups iii. Training on sheabutter processing iv. Establishment of NASPAN shea testing laboratory v. Training on packaging and labeling vi. Market advocacy vii. Media campaign on importance on shea and against shea tree destruction viii. Shea fair

12 THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT ARE: 1. Create employment 2. Empowerment of women 3. Building capacity for improved shea nut processing by women pickers through training of trainers, direct training and technical assistance 4. Support pickers, processors and exporters to increase market knowledge and to build partnerships nationally and internationally and other stages further along the supply chain. 5. Ensure that producers and their organization are better informed and become more productive, as a result which, they and their families and their communities benefit from increased and more secure incomes. 6. Create more awareness on the value of shea and the protection of the shea trees from destruction.

13 Shea nut quality campaign and training NASPAN and global Shea Alliance in collaboration with Shea producing states and some interested stakeholders will embark on massive campaign and training on sheanut quality. The objective of the campaign and training are to effect behavior change in the village level processing and aggregation of sheanut. As the first three stages of sheanut processing (collection, boiling and drying) determine the quality and fat yield of nuts.

14 COMMUNITY SHEA CLUSTER PROGRAMME NASPAN is discussing with one of the development banks to provide funding for its community shea cluster programme. This programme will designate some shea communities that have close proximity as clusters for both sheanut and butter. Each of the community will be trained on sheanut and butter processing and then supplied with simple processing machineries to reduce drudgery. NASPAN will pre-finance all their activities from the funding from the development bank. NASPAN will have a collection centre around these communities, so that as they produce it is delivered to the centre. Each community will have its packaging materials and their addresses will be indicated on each package for traceability and recognition purposes.

15 NASPAN will source market for the nuts and butter as this relieve the communities the burden of sourcing market but should only concentrate on good quality shea products. This process will be done transparently in order to build confidence of both parties and for sustainability purposes.

16 The objectives of the programme are i. Create employment and empowerment of our rural women ii. Increase rural productivity iii. Increase the quality and quantity of shea products from Nigeria iv. Provide basis for traceability v. Motivate the participating communities and also engender competition among them. vi. It will create competitive advantage that comes with working together in formalized cooperative networks. This is one of the principal challenge faced by small village in delivering quality shea at sufficient quantity. vii. Increase income for the women viii. Provide additional revenue for NASPAN Note that the prices that will be offered will be competitive, realistic and sustainable.

17 THANK YOU