Marantacea trade as a means of survival in Kinshasa East

Marantaceae, called in Lingala "Kasa ya kwanga" or "mi/makungu" in Kikongo, is a semi-evergreen plant of the natural forest wetlands in the regions surrounding the Congo basin. It is used to pack food like fish. These young thumbs are also consumed as a vegetable (Mikungu) among the people of certain ethnic groups in Kwilu province, such as the Mbala. Some households in Kinshasa are involved in marketing these leaves. However, there has been a decline in production in recent years due to deforestation and overexploitation of the resource. The sample survey conducted on a sample of 120 traders revealed that the income from the marantacea trade is 201161.50 Fc ± 184285.64 or $225, of which food costs account for 59.5%, communication costs plus personal care for 30.4% and schooling costs for 21.6%. The correlation test carried out on a multiple regression reveals that a 100% increase in turnover leads to a significant decrease in housing and food expenses.