Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural
https://revistasober.org/article/doi/10.1590/1806-9479.2026.305708
Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Extractivism of the Adansonia Digitata L. fruit in Changara, Mozambique: socioeconomic structure and community challenges

Extrativismo do fruto de Adansonia Digitata L. em Changara, Moçambique: estrutura socioeconômica e desafios comunitários

Mateus Jacobe; André Felippe Nunes-Freitas; Vanessa Maria Basso

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Resumo

The research analyzed the socioeconomic aspects of the structure of Adansonia digitata L. fruit extraction in the Changara district, Tete province, Mozambique, where the species is a strategic resource for the subsistence of rural communities. The A. digitata tree, locally known as embondeiro, produces a fruit called malambe, which is sold fresh, as pulp, or powder, for food, medicinal, and cultural uses. A qualitative-quantitative approach was adopted, with semi-structured interviews conducted with the different actors involved in harvesting, transporting, and selling the fruit. The sample was defined using the snowball technique, totaling 154 extractivists distributed across different villages in the district. The results show that the prices charged in the villages are lower than those observed along National Highway No. 7 (EN7) and by the regional purchasing company, compromising the profitability of the activity. It was found that the income obtained, especially from the sale of whole fruit in the villages, does not fully cover production costs, limiting it to meeting the basic needs of the families involved.

Palavras-chave

forest product, baobab, community economy, production chain, sustainability

Abstract

O estudo analisou os aspectos socioeconômicos da estrutura do extrativismo do fruto de Adansonia digitata L. no distrito de Changara, província de Tete, Moçambique, onde a espécie constitui recurso estratégico para a subsistência das comunidades rurais. O baobá, localmente denominado embondeiro, produz o fruto conhecido como malambe, comercializado nas formas in natura, polpa e pó, com usos alimentares, medicinais e culturais. Adotou-se abordagem quali-quantitativa, com aplicação de entrevistas semiestruturadas aos diferentes atores envolvidos na coleta, transporte e comercialização. A amostra foi definida pela técnica de bola de neve, totalizando 154 extrativistas distribuídos em distintas aldeias do distrito. Os resultados evidenciam que os preços praticados nas aldeias são inferiores aos observados ao longo da Estrada Nacional nº 7 (EN7) e pela empresa compradora regional, comprometendo a rentabilidade da atividade. Constatou-se que os rendimentos obtidos, sobretudo na venda do fruto inteiro nas aldeias, não cobrem integralmente os custos de produção, limitando-se ao atendimento de necessidades básicas das famílias envolvidas.

Keywords

produto florestal, baobá, economia comunitária, cadeia produtiva, sustentabilidade

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Submetido em:
20/02/2026

Aceito em:
05/06/2026

Publicado em:
08/09/2026

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