Moringa production: Worthy to be explored

23 Aug, 2019 - 00:08 0 Views
Moringa production: Worthy to be explored

eBusiness Weekly

Fradreck Gorwe
Moringa production is a wealthy avenue in Zimbabwe that many farmers and those aspiring less consider.

The rare commercial plant is a genus of multi-purpose shrubs, and a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree of the family Moringaceae which is native to tropical and subtropical regions of South Asia. Its botanical name is Moringa oleifera.

Moringa production, however, had been practiced in parts of Africa for decades due to its medicinal properties and health benefits. It also has anti-fungal, antiviral, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Moringa is both medicinal and edible. Seeds can be pressed to produce oil that can be used locally or exported to make skin oils, hair oils, face oils or lubricants for machinery, car fueling and even cooking oil.

Zimbabwean farmers can strike gold in harnessing moringa production especially given that production of the commercial plant is cheap yet has the potential to fortunes for the country in ways quasi-equal to tobacco or cotton production.

Unlike other commercials grown for single yields like seeds, fruits, leaves or roots per se, the moringa plant does not have any residue. All its constituents, leaves, roots, stem, branches, flowers, everything, serve a paramount purpose. It may only depend on the farmer’s harvest of choice. Leaves, roots and immature pods are either consumed as vegetables.

Again, the leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds, and root are used to make medicine. Moringa production can provide a ready source of raw material for the pharmaceutical industry in Zimbabwe at a time the Government is making efforts to enhance the health sector.

Facts gathered by the National Trade Development and Promotion Organisation of Zimbabwe, Zimtrade, indicate that; the plant is known to contain high levels of antioxidant chemicals, with the leaves being the most nutritious part of the plant being rich in Vitamins B, C, K, manganese, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and protein. It has the potential to lower Blood Sugar Levels, reduce Inflammation and to lower Cholesterol. The plant’s properties thus have great potential to mould a malnutrition free and food secure society.

Farmers wishing to embrace moringa production have a ready assurance of a sustainable business since the plant has an undying market locally and abroad. From a macro-economic perspective, the plant is a good source of foreign currency given high foreign demand for its health benefits.

Potential markets in Europe according to Zimtrade include Germany, UK, Austria and The Netherlands.

India currently dominates as the largest supplier to this foreign market. In Africa, South Africa and Mozambique are on the road to penetrate the EU market.

Zimbabwean producers therefore need to leverage on the interim Economic Partnership Agreements (iEPA,) which allows Zimbabwean products duty-free entry into the EU. At a time investments into alternative sources of energy are imperative, moringa production can be a relative option. Unlike other fuel sources like jatropha, moringa as an edible source does not suffer toxicity issues. It is a new player with great potential in the alternative fuel market. Already, in Japan and Korea, moringa is reportedly the dominant source of biodiesel for automobiles within the next fifty years. Thus seed production alone can bring tremendous wonders for Zimbabwean farmers.

Agronomic practices required in moringa production are seldom complex and rural farmers can even excel commercial farmers. The desert and dry resistant tree just demands that farmers grow shortly after the first rains when the ground is a bit soft. Thereafter, it only takes 20 litres of water per tree per month. Planting on water-logged areas is perhaps the single unconducive practice since frost is a major deterrent.

In seed production, maturity is usually after four years. Leaf harvesting, however, can begin after three months from when harvesting can be done every single 40 to 60 days depending on the growth rate and the climate.

Almost all corners of Zimbabwe have climatic conditions and soils suitable for the drought resistant moringa plant. Zimra, cotton producers in tax fight.

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