CONTRIBUTION OF NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS TO HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY IN THE MOYEN-CHARI PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN CHAD

This study highlighted the local woody species exploited for human consumption by the four cantons (Niellim, Balimba, Djoli and Kokaga). The general objective of this study is to know the contribution of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in the food security of the four cantons of the Moyen-Chari Province of Chad. The study was carried out by ethnobotanical surveys based on the food species consumed by humans and the main threats to woody food species. The sampling method is random with 200 respondents including 50 per canton. The results show that there are 48 woody food species whose organs are used for human consumption and in the four cantons. The results show that there are 48 woody food species whose organs are used for human consumption in the four cantons. These species are richer in the Kokaga (35 species) and Balimba (35 species) cantons followed by the Djoli canton (31 species) and the Niellim canton (30 species). The pulps, leaves, seeds, flowers and fruits of Vitellaria paradoxa (49.32%), Detarium microcarpum (43.60%) and Parkia biglobosa (40.46%) are more consumed in the four cantons. In the Niellim canton, the five priority woody food species in order of preference are: Vitellaria paradoxa (15.25%), Detarium microcarpum (11.86%), Tamarindus indica (11.86%), Parkia biglobosa (11.30%) and Ziziphus abyssinica (6.21%). The priority woody species of Balimba canton are: Vitellaria paradoxa (14.95%), Parkia biglobosa (12.29%), Detarium microcarpum (10.63%), Vitex doniana (8.31%) and Ximenia americana (7.97%). As for the Djoli canton, these are Ziziphus abyssinica (11.04%), Balanites aegyptiaca (9.03%), Parkia biglobosa (8.70%), Detarium microcarpum (8.36%) and Ximenia americana (7.36%). And finally in the Kokaga canton, we have Detarium microcarpum (11.86%), Vitellaria paradoxa (15.25%), Parkia biglobosa (11.30%), Gardenia aqualla (6.54%) and Strychnos innocua (6.21%). In the four cantons studied, the flowers are not very edible. The fruits are more requested in human food in the Balimba, Kokaga and Djoli cantons than in the Niellim canton. The seeds and leaves are the most preferred in Djoli and Kokaga than in Niellim and Balimba. The dominant families in the four cantons are Fabaceae (44%), Moraceae (20%), Combrataceae (12%) and Rubiaceae (12%). The threats common to these four cantons are the exploitation and overexploitation of fruits and seeds, bush fires, ploughing and clearing of fields, and the low and very low regeneration of certain woody food species. This study provides a starting point for decision-making in the sustainable management of the lean season. The results of this study would help guide conservation and development programs for woody food species in the study area.