(Ecofin Agency) - The Global Shea Alliance aims to double its output in West Africa. To do so, the association plans to spend $13 million to assist shea farmers and expand markets.

Achieving this goal would bring the region’s shea output to 1.2 metric tons by 2021. “We want to expand shea utilization in food and cosmetic markets. We seek to plant 500,000 new trees and build warehouses,” said the president of GSA, Moumouni Konaté.

The official said the initiative will be in carried out in a venture with U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Shea is mostly grown in Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and Cote d’Ivoire.

Aaron Akinocho