Ethnobotanical knowledge of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, 1807) in Benin

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), a member of the Zingiberaceae family, is a spice of global economic importance. However, in Benin, this crop remains neglected due to a lack of documentation and appropriate agricultural policies. The objective of the study was to promote Zingiber officinale in Benin by assessing the knowledge of rural and urban populations about it. A survey was conducted in thirteen municipalities across southern, central and northern Benin. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 301 individuals, including questions on gender, sociocultural and/or sociolinguistic group, age, profession, local names, beliefs and uses of ginger. The results showed that ginger is commonly referred to as dotè/doteh (53.57%) and atailè/atalè (17.86%). The culinary, the medicinal and the cosmetic, subdivided into eight specific sub-uses, were the three primary uses identified. Each participant attributed at least one use to ginger, with a maximum of seven uses recorded. Women (use index of 3.52) and the age group [51–75 years] (use index of 2.24) demonstrated the most extensive knowledge of the species. Among the sociocultural and/or sociolinguistic groups, the Goun and Peuhl exhibited the highest use values (4.33). The rhizome is the most utilized plant part, with the highest relative value. These findings suggest that ginger has the potential to become a promising agricultural value chain in Benin. Further scientific and development researches on the diversity and economic potential of the ginger crop are necessary to maximize its development and utilization.