Shea is becoming an instrument of economic development in some of the poorest countries in the world.
A woman empties a bucket of shea nuts which will be used to make Karite butter in Siby.SIBY - Niagale Camara places nuts into a basin, working with her colleagues at a cooperative near Bamako, Mali, to transform the fruit into a highly prized vegetable oil: shea butter.
According to the Global Shea Alliance, 16 million Africans living in the region from Senegal to South Sudan live or survive on its harvest -- mainly in rural areas.Demand for the product has exploded in recent years, driven by Western consumers who increasingly want to buy products presented as organic and natural.
There are nearly 1,000 women working there. Permanent salaries earn them the equivalent of minimum wage each month, or around 45,000 CFA francs . Temporary workers are paid by the task. Step by step, they transform the product. They peel it to extract the kernel. This is then crushed, washed and dried several times before being cooked in a pot to produce a dark liquid.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Telkom kicks off sale of OpenserveTelkom is working with Bank of America on the sale of a stake in its fibre business.
Read more »
Telkom hires US bank for sale of Openserve stake - TechCentralTelkom has kicked off the sale of a stake in its fibre business, as it seeks to unlock value for shareholders and boost profit.
Read more »
Netflix tests idea of expanding gaming to TVs - TechCentralNetflix is working to bring its nascent videogame service to television sets for the first time.
Read more »
DA conference | Phalatse vies for top jobIn the race to the Democratic Alliance’s elective conference this weekend, contender for the party’s top spot Dr Mpho Phalatse believes she has what it takes to bring urgently needed growth to the party.
Read more »
EDITORIAL: Blame the ANC, not the constitutionThe ANC should acknowledge its own failure to bring about the benefits for society formulated in the constitution.
Read more »