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Economic Potential of Selected Native Plants from Cuanza Norte, Northern Angola

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Abstract

This study examines the economic potential of 12 native Angolan plant species. In October/November 2016, field trips and market analyses were conducted in the province of Cuanza Norte and Luanda. The data were supplemented with global market information obtained in 2017. We conducted interviews in 48 different locations in Cuanza Norte (105 informants), complemented by 96 merchants. The informant consensus factor was calculated for 786 use reports from Cuanza Norte, classified into five different use categories by applying a scoring system. Adapting and comparing the cultural with the economic value of each species, five plant species proved to be profitable for the province (Adansonia digitata, Aframomum melegueta, Cochlospermum angolense, Cola acuminata, Xylopia aethiopica). These species are promising for a more detailed economic and ecological analysis due to their high local importance and national and/or international demand. Additional research is needed to acquire detailed information regarding plant distribution and numbers, specific growth conditions, sustainable harvesting methods, and processing of the raw plant material.

Resumo

O presente estudo analisa o potencial económico de doze plantas nativas angolanas. No período compreendido entre outubro e novembro de 2016, foram efetuadas viagens de campo e análises de mercado nas províncias do Cuanza Norte e Luanda. Os dados foram complementados com informações do mercado global (obtidas em 2017). Entrevistas foram conduzidas em 48 localidades na província do Cuanza Norte (105 informantes), complementada com 96 vendedores dos mercados informais. O “informant consensus factor” foi calculado para 786 relatórios de utilização do Cuanza Norte, classificados em cinco categorias de uso, aplicando um sistema de pontuação. Adaptando e comparando o Valor Cultural com o Valor Económico de cada espécie. Cinco espécies de plantas demostraram ser lucrativo para a província (Adansonia digitata, Aframomum melegueta, Cochlospermum angolense, Cola acuminata, Xylopia aethiopica). Essas espécies são promissoras para uma análise econômica e ecológica mais detalhada, por causa de alta importância local e/ou internacional. Uma continuação dos trabalhos é necessária para obtenção de informações detalhadas sobre á distribuição e números de plantas, condições de cultura, métodos de colheita sustentáveis e processamento da matéria prima vegetal.

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Data Availability

All data, in particular the individual use reports related to the respective informant and village as well as GPS data, are available from the corresponding author. All voucher specimens are available from the Herbarium Dresdense (DR) of the Institute of Botany, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all students and lecturers from the Kimpa Vita University for accompanying and translating during data collection. We express our profound gratitude to all local communities involved in this study for sharing their knowledge and experiences as well as to all informants, vendors, and companies participating in this study. A special thanks goes to the employees of Lymeherbs company and Oburoma Ventures for their contributions.

Funding

The field work in Angola was supported by a travel fund of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). These published results were obtained in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional da Biodiversidade e Áreas de Conservação (INBAC) of the Ministério do Ambiente da República de Angola.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany

    Christin Heinze, Christoph Neinhuis & Thea Lautenschläger

  2. University of Kimpa Vita, N’dalatando, Province of Cuanza Norte, Angola

    Mateus Domingos Francisco Dundão

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  1. Christin Heinze
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  2. Mateus Domingos Francisco Dundão
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Correspondence to Christin Heinze.

Ethics declarations

We consulted the administrative head of each municipality and community and obtained a working permit for the particular region. All participants were briefed about the intent of our project and their rights (prior informed consent). The code of ethics of the International Society of Ethnobiology was followed. Collection and export permits were obtained from the Ministry of Environment Angola and the Province Government of Cuanza Norte.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Heinze, C., Dundão, M.D.F., Neinhuis, C. et al. Economic Potential of Selected Native Plants from Cuanza Norte, Northern Angola. Econ Bot 73, 96–111 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-018-9439-x

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