ZEFa Colloquium on Agricultural intensification in times of rising bio-economies around the globe: socio-cultural reflections
December 4, 2019 | 11:00 h - 12:30 h
At 11:00 Dr. Wiebke Wellbrock (holds a PhD in Rural Sociology and an MSc in Animal Sciences. She has worked for Wageningen University in the Netherlands, the University of Hohenheim in Germany and as a visiting lecturer (DAAD) at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia. She is an associated researcher at the ZEF A department)
Title: Agricultural intensification in times of rising bio-economies around the globe: socio-cultural reflections
At 11:45 Dr. Soumana Douma (holds a PhD in Biology and Ecology applies of Abdou Moumouni Universty, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Department of Biology. His field of research activity includes ecological monitoring of plant environments, characterization and valuation of non-timber forest products and domestication and innovation in agroforestry)
Title: Role of shea parks in improving the living conditions of local populations in the Sudanese zone of West Africa - The example of the village territory of Kotaki in southwestern Niger
Abstract: Agricultural intensification in times of rising bio-economies around the globe: socio-cultural reflections - Bio-economies are emerging all over the globe. The intention is to ensure economic growth based on renewable resource. To meet the growing demand for renewable resources, a ‘sustainable’ intensification of their production is envisioned. Farmed animals are an important source of renewable resources with outputs such as carcasses, meat, milk, eggs, wool or manure. Yet, the intensification of animal production entails many environmental, economic, social, cultural and ethical concerns. In this presentation, the socio-cultural sustainability of dairy production systems in Germany and Colombia is analyzed and compared. Using three empirical case studies, the perspective of German and Colombian farmers and consumers will be presented. The presentation finishes with a conceptual discussion concerning the development of an innovative and integrative approach to the study of socio-cultural sustainability within established and emerging bio-economies.
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Abstract: Role of shea parks in improving the living conditions of local populations in the Sudanese zone of West Africa - The example of the village territory of Kotaki in southwestern Niger - Shea (Sapotaceae) is one of the wild fruit trees characteristic of the Sudanian zone and Sahelo Sudanese of Niger. It is one of West Africa's most valuable plant resources from an ecological, economic and agro-forestry standpoint. In Niger, several processing activities are carried out around the shea sector by the local populations, mostly women. The production of shea butter is the main income-generating activity for the majority of women in the sector. It thus contributes to the nutrition of women's living conditions and is a significant source of income for women producers that should be promoted.
This study was conducted in one of the largest parks in Karite located in the Falmey department in the Sahelo-Sudan zone in South-West Niger. Its purpose is to evaluate one by the current state of shea stands but also to assess the process of transformation of almonds into butter and its socio-economic impact on the lives of producers.
To carry out this study, two types of approaches were developed: a socio-economic approach by survey in villages in order to identify the butter production method and to understand the impacts with respect to the quality of the butter and also from the tree, and an ecological approach from vegetation surveys in these environments.
Key words: shea, stand, structure, socio-economy, processing; producers; Kotaki-Niger
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