Utilization of non-timber forest products as alternative sources of food and income in the highland regions of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

• DOI: 10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100547
• Publication Date: 2024-04-01T16:04:36Z
• Authors: Jean M. Mondo; Géant B. Chuma; Matthieu B. Muke; Bienfait B. Fadhili; Jacques B. Kihye; Henri M. Matiti; Caroline I. Sibomana; Léon M. Kazamwali; Napoléon B. Kajunju; Gustave N. Mushag...; Katcho Karume; Hwaba Mambo; Rodrigue B. Ayagirwe; Alphonse Z. Balezi
• Keywords: Consumption

In developing countries, studies on sustainable preservation of forests (including non-timber forest products NTFPs) have been poorly carried out for promoting alternative income generating activities (IGA) to alleviate pressure praised resources by local communities living close protected areas. This study aimed at (1) inventorying NTFPs exploited around the Kahuzi Biega National Park (KBNP), (2) assessing their therapeutic values and nutritional contributions, (3) analyzing rural urban market determine potential as sources well major constraints in exploitation. Individual interviews were conducted with 790 households Kabare, Walungu, Kalehe, Bukavu City, eastern Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) coupled focus group discussions key stakeholders KBNP. Street vendors, restaurants, hotels, owners also interviewed uses, awareness values, factors hindering wide use environments. Physicochemical analyses main values. Results showed that populations KBNP exploit least 55 NTFPs, mainly self-consumption food, feed, medicine. represent second most important source KBNP, accounting 23.3% total households' after agriculture generates 25.7% income. Income from NTFP trade was primarily used food supply (29%), investment small businesses (19.6%), children's education (17.7%), healthcare expenses (5.1%). These had varying (in terms proximate composition, essential minerals, bioactive compounds). Solanum nigrum (24.9%), Termitomyces robustus (18.0%), Amaranthus viridis (17.6%), Piper (16.9%) are valuable proteins while Zingiber officinale (25.5%), T. (15.4%) P. (14.3%) rich dietary fibres. (37.0 128.3 mg/kg) Basella alba (35.1 108.7 highest zinc iron contents, respectively. Some nutritious such S. nigrum, Dioscorea spp., high contents anti-nutritional elements should be processed properly maximize bioavailability. Besides, created employment opportunities collectors, supermarkets, restaurants both Though communities, challenges value chain low (48.6%), short shelf life (22.5%), excessive taxation (19.1%) areas, seasonality (36.9%), scarcity prohibiting prices (17.7%) limiting factors. highlights significant role played providing healthy surrounding thus emphasizes necessity promotion diets poverty hidden hunger