MORINGA PRODUCTION

MORINGA PRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

The Moringa tree  is commonly found in areas along Lake Malawi and Lower Shire areas. It is a fast growing, drought resistant, and adapted to arid, sandy conditions. However, it grows in all areas, only that in low-lying areas it grows faster than in the high attitude areas. Every part of the tree is beneficial in some way, which is of great importance in areas where people have direct dependence on trees, crops and animals for their livelihood.

The common names for Moringa oleifera are Moringa, drumstick tree, horseradish tree and ben oil tree. The vernacular names in Malawi, for Moringa are:

Chichewa: Cham’mwamba, Kangaluni

Yao: Kalokola

Sena: Nsangoa

Nutritional analyses generally indicate that Moringa leaves contain a wealth of essential, disease-preventing nutrients. They even contain all the essential amino acids, which is unusual for a plant source. The nutritional content of fresh and dried leaves is different. Since the dried leaves are concentrated, they contain higher amounts of many of these nutrients, except vitamin C. The nutrients include Vitamins, Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Proteins and many more. For pregnant and breast-feeding women, Moringa can do much to preserve the mother’s health and pass on strength to the fetus or nursing child. Malnourished children can benefit by adding Moringa leaf powder to their diet. As a nutritional additive, add two or three tea spoon-full of powder to porridge, rice, teas, etc.

Fresh moringa leaves

Fresh moringa pods