Birds, Bees & Business

Approach

Vogelbescherming and ICCO see the market potential of shea as an opportunity to invest in nature restoration, so that both people and birds sustainably benefit from it. Shea nuts have high value for skin and hair preparations as well as for nutrition. While the pulp contains vitamin C and has anti-inflammatory properties, the kernels have a high fat content and a strong moisturizing effect. Today shea butter is an important ingredient in many cosmetics, sold by companies such as L’Occitane and The Body Shop.

In Burkina Faso, ICCO – together with Vogelbescherming and financed by the Dutch Postcode Lottery – works on the restoration of nature by creating a diverse, mosaic landscape. In this ecologically sustainable landscape biodiversity is restored and shea trees flourish, while there is also room for sustainable agriculture, pasture for cattle and woodlots for firewood. The variety of trees and plants attracts bees and other insects, and therefore also birds.

Biodiversity attract more pollinators

Research shows that biodiversity and the intensity of natural pollination are closely related: increased biodiversity of plants and trees attracts more different types of pollinators: bees and other insects. More diversity in pollinators, who are each active during different periods, in turn stimulates biodiversity. While birds benefit from the restored habitat, it also has a positive impact on the production of shea nuts. Women benefit from improved shea butter sales and the industry benefits from better quality. This approach is also replicable in other West African countries, like Mali or Ghana.

Objectives

We create a sustainable landscape,

Local farmers increase their crop yields as crop pests and diseases reduce and the soil becomes more healthy. The farmers plant new plants and trees, like acacia trees. This way they prevent erosion, while the leaves are usable as fodder. Beekeepers stimulate pollination of shea trees and other food crops. Shea pollinators, namely ‘stingless’ and ‘honey’ bees, can increase fruit production by up to 2.5 times! Migratory birds can find enough food, rest and water to survive.

We create sustainable business

We help women organize themselves into cooperatives, improve the quality and quantity of their shea production, so (international) buyers pay a good price. Using efficient cookstoves for processing into shea butter saves a lot of firewood (and trees) and reduces CO2 emission. In this sustainable production chain we work together with Olvea, a company that purchases shea butter and also sees market opportunities for beeswax and oil from balanites trees.

We connect stakeholders, to ensure research and lobby activities

We stimulate cooperation between all parties – local communities, companies, governments and researchers- and application of relevant knowledge to secure the continuity and possibilities for upscaling.