NARO develops technology to shorten shea tree maturity period
According to Kodet John Mark, Manager of NARO’s Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute [Ngetta ZARDI] in Lira City, the innovation enables shea trees to start fruiting in as little as 10 years, half the time it takes for wild, non-grafted varieties, which can take up to 20 years to mature
LIRA CITY, August 12, 2025 — Scientists at Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organisation [NARO] have developed a technique to significantly shorten the maturity and fruiting period of shea nut trees [Vitellaria paradoxa] using grafting and improved nursery propagation methods.
According to Kodet John Mark, Manager of NARO’s Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute [Ngetta ZARDI] in Lira City, the innovation enables shea trees to start fruiting in as little as 10 years, half the time it takes for wild, non-grafted varieties, which can take up to 20 years to mature.
“We are promoting multiplication through grafting and nursery propagation. By encouraging farmers to adopt grafted shea seedlings, we can deliver faster yields and enhance environmental conservation,” Kodet explained.
Conservation through innovation
The move is also part of a broader strategy to conserve Uganda’s dwindling shea tree population, which faces growing threats from charcoal production and land degradation. Kodet noted that many indigenous shea trees are being cut down before reaching maturity, reducing both ecological and economic benefits.
“We need to preserve the genetic resources of the shea tree while also increasing its value to local communities. Grafting provides a practical solution to both challenges,” he said.
To support adoption, Ngetta ZARDI has initiated a seedling production programme. The institute is currently raising 1,500 grafted seedlings, which will be available for sale to farmers in the Lango and Acholi sub-regions at Shs 4,000 each. The seedlings reach transplanting maturity after just two months in the nursery.
Shea trees naturally occur in parts of northern, eastern, and West Nile regions of Uganda, with particularly high densities in districts such as Otuke, Agago, Pader, and Alebtong. However, natural regeneration is slow and increasingly hampered by human activities.
Enhancing value and livelihoods
Alexandria Acipa, a laboratory technician at the institute, said NARO has also embarked on value addition initiatives aimed at boosting the economic potential of shea products and discouraging destructive harvesting practices.
“We are training local communities to process shea nuts into higher-value products rather than just selling raw nuts or cutting down trees for charcoal,” Acipa said.
She emphasised that value addition will not only improve household incomes but also incentivise long-term conservation of shea trees.
Towards sustainable shea cultivation
The shea tree is highly valued for its oil-rich nuts, which are used in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals. In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of its role in agroforestry, soil conservation, and climate resilience in semi-arid areas.
NARO’s grafting programme represents a significant step towards transforming shea from a wild and underutilised resource into a sustainable, cultivated crop with economic and environmental benefits for future generations.
https://thecooperator.news/otuke-residents-want-shea-trees-fully-protected/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
