Cassava farming could fuel rural tourism in Angola
Ethnobotany
The humble root vegetable behind tapioca and fufu turns out to be a cultural anchor and potential economic engine for entire farming communities, showing how one crop can support both dinner tables and local tourism economies.
Researchers talked to 221 farming families and local leaders in a province of Angola to understand what cassava, a starchy root crop, actually means to their daily lives. It turns out cassava isn't just food: it's income, tradition, and identity all wrapped into one plant, and the researchers think showcasing that heritage could draw visitors and support rural economies.
Key Findings
Study surveyed 221 family farming households plus interviews with traditional leaders (Sobas and Regedores) and government officials in Malanje Province, Angola
Cassava was identified as a strategic livelihood asset that strengthens food security, generates household income, and reinforces local cultural identity
Researchers proposed an integrated conceptual model linking family farming, sustainable livelihoods, territorial development, and rural tourism, tied to six UN Sustainable Development Goals (1, 2, 8, 11, 12, 15)
chevron_right Technical Summary
A survey of 221 family farmers in Angola's Malanje Province finds that growing cassava does far more than feed households: it generates income, preserves cultural traditions, and could become the foundation for local rural tourism built around traditional food heritage.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Contribution of Cassava Cultivation to Farmers' Livelihoods in Malanje Province, Angola: Implications for Territorial Development and Rural Tourism
Cassava cultivation plays a fundamental role in food security, income generation, and the livelihoods of rural communities across Sub-Saharan Africa. However, empirical evidence on its contribution...
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