Endogenous knowledge and local perception about Jatropha curcas in, Central African Republic.

Résumé

Jatropha curcas L. is a multipurpose plant to which particular importance is granted, this in response to the effects of climate change and the energy crisis. The objective of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of local knowledge and local perception in Central African Republic on this resource. Surveys were conducted in ten prefectures of CAR and one thousand people of different age groups, genders and ethnic groups were interviewed. A Factorial Analysis of Correspondence (AFC) was used to measure the variability between different ethnic groups, the uses and the most used parts of the plant. Kada (30.3%) and Kadandoro (25.8%) are the most used local names of the 17 identified. Cuttings (84.5%) is the most recurrent used of seedlings. The plant is more used in traditional therapy (72.7%). The Banda ethnic groups, the Ngbandi and the Nzakara use more the plant as a living fence. The Gbaya, the Sara and the Oubanguien preferentially use it in traditional medicine. The Mboum weakly use it as windbreaks and anti erosion. The leaf with 44, 9% and with the sap (20.6%) is the most used parts of the plant. The most cited pathology is cough (21.6%). In traditional therapy, other plants such as Citrus limon (35%) and Cymbopogon citratus (16%) are associated in the preparation of mixtures associated with J. curcas.

The 90% of the population aware of the usefulness of J.curcas supports its introduction into their culture system for the production of bioenergy provided to organize the sales channel of products and by products but also to provide them with provision of technical and financial assistance.

Key words: Jatropha curcas L., endogenous knowledge, local perception, Central African Republic.