Fungal Resources for Human Well-being
Implications for Poverty and Gender Inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6059226 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Wilfrid Kingnidé Adjimoti, Olyvia Gwladys Fadeyi, Sydney T Ndolo Ebika (0000-0002-0933-6948), Cathy Sharp, David Minter, D W Minter (0000-0001-9763-3303), Nourou S Yorou (0000-0001-6997-811X) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Publication date | 2025-11-03 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Ethnobiology and Conservation (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2238-4782 • E-ISSN: 2238-4782 |
| Publisher | Universidade Estadual da Paraiba/Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (Ethnobiology and Conservation) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.15451/ec2025-11-14-35-1-27 |
| OpenAlex | W4415880499 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 153 |
Wild Useful Fungi (WUF) offer substantial yet underexplored opportunities to enhance livelihoods, address gender disparities, and alleviate poverty across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This paper synthesizes the growing body of empirical literature on the socio-economic and ecological roles of WUF to examine their contribution to food security, healthcare, and reducing the gender inequalities. A systematic literature review of 93 high-quality peer-reviewed studies, published between 2000 and 2024 was conducted using the PRISMA and Cadima methodology. The analysis highlights 396 WUF, 47 of which have documented medicinal uses. These fungi significantly contribute to nutritional diversity through their rich protein content, vitamins, and minerals, and play a crucial role in local food preservation and fermentation practices. Medicinal properties, including antimicrobial and pharmacological benefits, position WUF as promising resources for healthcare innovation. Economically, WUF harvesting and trade serve as vital livelihood strategies, particularly for rural women. Women’s involvement in WUF value chains fosters household income generation and food security. This review recommends the cultivation of nutritious fungal species, strengthening value chains, and implementation of gender-sensitive policies to maximize the sustainable management and utilization of WUF. Keywords: wild useful fungi, gender equality, food security, poverty alleviation, Sub-Saharan Africa
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |