Diversity of Ethnobotanical Uses and Availability of Raphia hookeri and Elaeis guineensis in the Urban Municipality of N'Zérékoré in Guinea
Soumah Daloba
Institute for Research and Extension of Aulacodiculture of Guinea (IRVAG), N'Zérékoré, Guinea and Gamal Abdel Naseer University of Conackry (UGANC), BP 1147, Conackry, Guinea.
Bio Nikki Sare Orou Eric
*
Institute for Research and Extension of Aulacodiculture of Guinea (IRVAG), N'Zérékoré, Guinea and Food Science Laboratory, Department of Nutrition and Agri-food Sciences, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, BP 123 Parakou, Benin.
Diabaté Sékou
Institute for Research and Extension of Aulacodiculture of Guinea (IRVAG), N'Zérékoré, Guinea.
Kpogomou Isaac
Institute for Research and Extension of Aulacodiculture of Guinea (IRVAG), N'Zérékoré, Guinea.
Sakovogui Ousmane
Higher Institute of Technology of Mamou (IST), University of Mamou, Mamou, Guinea.
Diakité Mohamed
Institute for Research and Extension of Aulacodiculture of Guinea (IRVAG), N'Zérékoré, Guinea.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The Aim: assessing the ethnobotanical uses and availability of two species from the Arecaceae family (Raphia hookeri and Elaeis guineensis).
Study Design: this study is a diagnostic study on the use of agricultural resources.
Place and Duration of Study: this study was conducted in the urban municipality of N'Zérékoré in the Republic of Guinea between January and March 2026
Methodology: data were collected from 55 users through semi-structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and direct observation. The surveys focused on the different categories of use of the species as well as local perceptions of their availability.
Results: the Results reveal that Raphia hookeri is primarily used for food (42%), particularly in the production of raffia wine, followed by artisanal (20%), traditional (18%), agricultural (13%), and construction (7%) uses. As for Elaeis guineensis, food uses remain dominant (56%), followed by industrial (29%), traditional (9%), and energy (6%) uses. The availability assessment shows that the population primarily associates these two species with their food uses. Thus, 67% of respondents consider Raphia hookeri available mainly for food, while 75% attribute this availability to Elaeis guineensis. Other uses mentioned include crafts, industry, traditional medicine, and certain ecosystem services.
Conclusion: These results highlight the socio-economic, cultural, and nutritional importance of these plant resources for local communities and underscore the need to adopt sustainable management measures to ensure their long-term conservation and availability.
Keywords: Raphia hookeri, Elaeis guineensis, ethnobotany, resource availability, N'Zérékoré