Identification and Incentive to Consumption of Unconventional Food Plants in Rural Communities in the Municipality of Bom Jesus da Lapa

Abstract

Unconventional food plants are plant species that have great food potential, but are little known and consumed. These are plants easily found in rural properties and generally considered to be harmful. In view of the important food, economic, social, cultural and environmental potential that these plants present, a project was carried out with the objective of studying the use of unconventional food plants by farmers and family farmers in communities in Bom Jesus da Lapa-BA, in addition to to encourage new forms of consumption and to provide subsidies for a future study on the agronomic potential of cultivation of some species in the properties. The activities were developed in three communities: Poço, Severino and Mossorongo. Performed in stages: presentation and discussion about species with potential for food that aren’t conventional. Application of questionnaires for the characterization of plants and collection of previously selected species; presentation of results and tasting of recipes made with unconventional food plants. The results showed that of the 20 plants presented to the interviewees, 81% were known, but 62% of them were never consumed. With these results, it was possible to infer that over the years the consumption of non-conventional food plants has become less and less frequent. However, we observed that the research participants were totally interested in the topic, since they were quite participative in all stages, always showing themselves willing to discover a new plant with potential food, in addition to recognizing the importance of the project for the communities.