Potencialidades na utilização de plantas alimentícias subutilizadas, em substituição aos alimentos importados, para o desenvolvimento de uma agricultura sustentável em Angola, África.

Abstract

This exploratory and quantitative thesis aimed to identify underutilized food plants in Angola and characterize the nutritional composition of those most cited in the scientific literature. It also analyzed, quantified (in terms of volume and value), and chemically characterized the main foods imported by the country. In addition, a comparative analysis of the nutritional equivalence between underutilized local foods and the principal imported foods was conducted. The objective was to generate evidence to support public policies that promote national food production while preserving biodiversity associated with local ecosystems through the development of a sustainable agri-food system. Ten underutilized plant species were surveyed: one legume species, macoba bean (Voandzeia subterranea Thouars); two cereal species, massambala (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and massango (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.); three fruit tree species, imbondeiro (Adansonia digitata L.), maboqueiro (Strychnos spinosa Lam.), and dendezeiro (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.); two tuber species, inhame (Dioscorea spp.) and assipi (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott); and two leafy vegetable species, fumbua (Gnetum africanum Welw.) and uce (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.). An additional fifteen underutilized food species were also identified. In 2022, Angola imported 804,098 tons of corn, wheat and flour, potatoes, oranges and juice, edible oil, and fresh, dehydrated, frozen, or preserved vegetables, totaling USD 706,492,000. In this context, and considering the demonstrated nutritional quality of the underutilized food plants analyzed in this study, the consumption of imported foods in Angola could be partially replaced by the local production of these underutilized species. Such an approach would contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture while generating local employment and income. Therefore, the development and implementation of public policies are recommended to strengthen food production systems based on these underutilized plants, providing a sustainable solution to food scarcity, food and nutritional insecurity, malnutrition, environmental sustainability, and the conservation of associated ecosystems in Angola.