Stakeholder Perceptions and Readiness to Adopt Shea Tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn.) Grafting Technology in Côte d’Ivoire

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.