Commerce des plantes médicinales au Burundi : importance économique, utilisations et origine : Etude de cas en Mairie de Bujumbura

Abstract

This study was carried out by a survey in the city of Bujumbura in order to inventory the medicinal plants used in their diversity in the treatment of diseases and to assess the economic importance in the markets of the city of Bujumbura. The objective was to make an inventory of medicinal plants sold in the markets, and to assess the threats linked to their conservation and protection. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the collector present in the markets. We interviewed 64 vendor-collectors in the city of Bujumbura and all vendors from areas close to a Kibira national park and fallow land in Bujumbura province. samples were collected and identified, prices noted and sales units measured. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the collectors present in the markets. The study showed that 209 species are traded on the markets of the city of Bujumbura. The organs of the most exploited plants remain the leaves with a rate of 69%. The results of this study indicate that the trade in certain medicinal plants could be promoted as an alternative livelihood strategy for communities on the outskirts of protected areas. However, more information is needed on harvesting techniques, source and abundance of species traded. The study highlighted a list of vulnerable and threatened plants including Alvesia clerodendroides (TCE Fr.) B. Mathew and Prunus africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman (both vulnerable), Rytigynia kiwuensis (K. Krause) Robyns and Vernonia kirungae RE Fr. (both near threatened) which require conservation by domestication and sustainable management at the scale of Burundi.