Given the cost-benefit discrepancy of Shea butter production in
Nigeria, this study aims to assess Shea butter processing among
rural dwellers of Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State. Oyo
State is a major Shea butter producing state in Nigeria and Atisbo is the
head quarter of the production. The population for the study comprised
all Shea butter processors in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 120 respondents for
the study. Result reveals that the Shea butter processors are mainly
females, middle aged, married, with no formal education. They have large
household size, and have Shea butter processing as their primary
occupation. However, the processing techniques are manual, time
consuming, and highly demanding. There are limited market
opportunities for the product, and the processors hardly seek information
to improve their activity. Besides, limited credit facilities and processing
equipments are the major constraints of the processors. It is concluded
that Shea butter production in the area is lower than expected, and its
quality is questionable. It is recommended that Shea butter processing
should be vitalized by governments and NGOs by adopting it as a poverty
alleviation initiative, because of its enormous potentials.