Diversity and Socio-Economic Value of Wild Edible Plants in the Mounts Mandara Region, Cameroon

A study was carried out in the Mounts Mandara to assess the diversity of edible plant species, to identify the use of the edible products, and to determine their socio-economic value. Interviews of a sampling population were conducted randomly in 5 zones with 5 villages each and in rural and urban markets; a sample of 1020 persons was interviewed to evaluate and quantify the various products and determine their flows. The results showed that the edible plant products used in the area were: fruits, leaves, flowers, seeds, tubers, roots, barks and stems. These products were harvested from 61 plant species belonging to 29 families in which 54 species were fruit trees, 11 species produced leaves and / or flowers, 4 species produced seeds. The total annual quantity of products harvested was 1080.9 t in which: fruit (725.62 t); leaves (97.5 t), flowers (1.96 t), and seeds (255.82 t). The seeds of Parkia biglobosa were the most useful part by the populations of Mounts Mandara making “dawa-dawa†some traditional aromatic for a sauce. Exploited products were an important source of food and income for the people. Annually, exploited products generated at whole of 60 783 975 F CFA. The fruits were sold for 17 542 375 F CFA, the seeds yielded 36 676 900 F CFA, the contribution of the leaves was 5 452 820 F CFA and that of the flowers was 724880 F CFA, "dawa-dawa" brought, very popular, bring in a modest sum of 787 000 F CFA. Local people were developing interest in exploiting different bush products. The exploitation activities of the various products were intensifying; the requested species must be domestication to ensure the sustainable management.