Stakeholder Perceptions and Readiness to Adopt Shea Tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn.) Grafting Technology in Côte d’Ivoire
Kpagni Antoine Blé
Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Biochemistry-Genetics, Laboratory of Biotechnology and Agro-Food Valorization (BiVA), Educational and Research Unit of Genetic, University of Peleforo GON COULIBALY (UPGC), Korhogo, BP 1328, Côte d’Ivoire.
Affi Jean Paul Attikora
*
Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Biochemistry-Genetics, Laboratory of Biotechnology and Agro-Food Valorization (BiVA), Educational and Research Unit of Genetic, University of Peleforo GON COULIBALY (UPGC), Korhogo, BP 1328, Côte d’Ivoire, African Center for Shea Research and Applications (CRAK), Korhogo, BP 239, Côte d’Ivoire and University of Liege - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Terra Research Center, Plant Genetics and Rhizosphere Processes lab., Passage des Déportés 2, BE-5030, Gembloux, Belgium.
Saraka Didier Martial Yao
Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Biochemistry-Genetics, Laboratory of Biotechnology and Agro-Food Valorization (BiVA), Educational and Research Unit of Genetic, University of Peleforo GON COULIBALY (UPGC), Korhogo, BP 1328, Côte d’Ivoire and African Center for Shea Research and Applications (CRAK), Korhogo, BP 239, Côte d’Ivoire.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Shea domestication through grafting may be constrained by stakeholders’ limited practical experience and concerns about planting-material performance and cost.
Aims: This study assessed stakeholder knowledge, perceptions, uncertainties, and readiness to adopt shea grafting technology to support sustainable shea domestication in northern Côte d’Ivoire.
Study Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 360 shea value-chain stakeholders across five regions of northern Côte d’Ivoire. Data were collected through structured interviews and analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Cramér’s V.
Results: Overall, 60.3% of respondents were aware of shea grafting technology, although only 32.7% had previously seen a grafted shea seedling. Knowledge and perceptions differed significantly across stakeholder categories and regions (p < 0.05), with agricultural technicians and nursery operators demonstrating greater technical knowledge. Respondents expressed favourable expectations regarding grafted-tree performance (mean score: 4.05/5), and 94.7% indicated willingness to plant grafted seedlings. However, 90% considered the reported seedling price of FCFA 5,000 ($8.49) expensive, while approximately 42-44% expressed uncertainty about potential rootstock effects on fruit and butter yield and quality. Rootstock-related uncertainty was significantly associated with stakeholder category (p < 0.001; Cramér’s V = 0.34). Public subsidies (59.2%) and technical training were identified as key priorities for technology dissemination.
Conclusion: Despite strong stakeholder interest in adopting grafted shea seedlings, limited practical knowledge, high planting-material costs, and uncertainties regarding rootstock effects remain major barriers to adoption. Improving seedling affordability, strengthening technical training and participatory demonstrations, and conducting long-term evaluations of grafted-tree performance are essential to facilitate widespread adoption and sustainable shea domestication in Côte d’Ivoire.
Keywords: Vitellaria paradoxa, grafting, stakeholder perceptions, adoption readiness, rootstock-scion interactions, agricultural extension