A visual mixed media documentation of production and processing activities along the Shea value chain in Otuke District.

Abstract

Visual and fine arts have a greater role as communication mediums in promoting rural community development as put forth in this study. The purpose of the study was to explore how activities along the shea value chain could be visually documented through a practical studio-based investigation. The following objectives guided the study: i) examining the activities carried out during the production of Shea in Otuke district; ii) evaluating the activities carried out in the processing of Shea nut in Otuke district; iii) creation of mixed media artworks that visually document activities along the Shea value chain in Otuke district. The study took place in Otuke District within Adwari and Olilim sub-counties. This study was based on qualitative exploratory research and practical studio-based production of mixed media paintings. Data collected was majorly qualitative [key informant interviews (KII), observation and participant observation were used to collect the data. The results indicated that production and processing activities are mostly dominated by women and mentioned that they were facing a challenge with the number of Shea nuts since the Shea trees are being threated, lack of capital, limited market, lack of access to standardized equipment‘s and poor-quality Shea products. The communities that dominate the shea value chain are semi- illiterate. That it is visually possible to document activities along the shea value chain, therefore the visual and fine arts indeed have a greater role as communication avenues in promoting rural community development.