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Marantaceae, called in Lingala "Kasa ya kwanga" or "mi/makungu" in Kikongo, is a semi-evergreen plant of the natural forest wetlands in the regions surrounding the Congo basin. It is used to pack food like fish. These young thumbs are also consumed as a vegetable (Mikungu) among the people of certain ethnic groups in Kwilu province, such as the Mbala. Some households in Kinshasa are involved in marketing these leaves. However, there has been a decline in production in recent years due to deforestation and overexploitation of the resource. The sample survey conducted on a sample of 120 traders revealed that the income from the marantacea trade is 201161.50 Fc ± 184285.64 or $225, of which food costs account for 59.5%, communication costs plus personal care for 30.4% and schooling costs for 21.6%. The correlation test carried out on a multiple regression reveals that a 100% increase in turnover leads to a significant decrease in housing and food expenses.
About the author
Pitshou Luvunu nasceu em Idiofa em 1976. Filho de um professor, estudou humanidades agrícolas na Universidade de Kinshasa, na Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias, no Departamento de Economia Agrícola. É especialista em recolha e análise de dados para estudos socioeconómicos, florestais e ambientais.
