First Survey on the Edible Non-Wood Forest Products Sold in Uíge Province, Northern Angola

Abstract

This study aimed to inventory, identify, characterize and valorize the various edible non wood forest products (NWFPs) sold in Uíge Province. Data for this study were collected between October 2016 and February 2020. A total of 156 edible NWFPs sellers were individually interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire at the 30 sales sites. 93.5% of edible NWFP sellers were female and 6.5% male. The main edible NWFPs sold in Uíge Province are animal products with 47 species, of which 48.9% are Mammals, 21.3% Insects, 12.8% Actinopterygii, 6.4% Birds, 8.5% Reptiles, and 2.1% Sarcopterygii. Plants represent 38.5% (35 species) of the edible NWFPs sold in the study area, of which 78.8% are Dicotyledones, 21.2% Monocotyledones, 2.9% Gnetophytes and 2.9% Pteridophytes. Besides, Mushrooms account for barely 9.9% of the edible NWFPs sold in this region. On the other hand, edible NWFPs are sold on formal and informal markets, in the bus parking lots, taxi runk, roadsides, restaurants and at the seller’ homes. For the sale of edible forest products, the vendors use non-standardized measuring units. The income generated by the sale of NWFPs is used to solve socio-economic problems in the household, including the purchase of basic necessities, health care, clothing, cosmetics, school materials, well-being, etc.