Challenges and opportunities for Moringa growers in southern Ethiopia and Kenya

Abstract

Moringa oleifera (MO) and M. stenopetala (MS) are two commonly cultivated species of the Moringaceae family. Some households in southern Ethiopia (S. ETH) and Kenya (KEN) plant MS and MO, respectively. The edible parts of these species are rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals, especially selenium. Despite their nutritional value, Moringa is sometimes considered as a “famine food”. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of dietary utilization of these plants by Moringa Growing Households (MGHs). Moringa growing households were surveyed in 2015. Twenty-four and 56 heads of MGHs from S. ETH and KEN, respectively, were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Subsistence agriculture was the main source of livelihood for all MGHs in S. ETH and 71% of those in KEN. All MGHs in S. ETH cultivated MS while those in KEN cultivated MO. Of the MGH heads in S. ETH, 71% had grown MS as long as they remember; the median cultivation period of MO in KEN was 15 years. All MGHs in S. ETH and 79% in KEN used Moringa leaves as a source of food. Forms of consumption of leaves were boiled fresh leaves, and leaf powder used in tea or mixed with other dishes. Other uses of Moringa include as medicine, fodder, shade, agroforestry, and as a source of income. Although MO and MS have multiple uses, MGHs face several challenges, including a lack of reliable information on nutritional and medicinal values, inadequate access to markets for their products, and pest and disease stresses to their plants. Research and development to address these challenges and to promote the use of these species in the fight against hidden hunger are necessary.

The Potential of Some Moringa Species for Seed Oil Production

“…Cultivation methods should be also adapted to the major crop purpose, for seed or leaf production [44]. Seeds production requires a low density plantation (2.5 × 2.5 m or 3 × 3 m), while for leaf production it can vary from intensive (spacing from 10 × 10 cm to 20 × 20 cm), semi-intensive (spacing 50 × 50 cm), or integrated into an agroforestry system (spacing distance of 2-4 m) [45,46]. Intercropping with other staple food crops, like cassava, maize and sorghum, is very frequent in south Ethiopia and Kenya: Moringa leaves shed on the soil serve as green manure to increase soil fertility and to maximize crop yield [46].…”

“…Seeds production requires a low density plantation (2.5 × 2.5 m or 3 × 3 m), while for leaf production it can vary from intensive (spacing from 10 × 10 cm to 20 × 20 cm), semi-intensive (spacing 50 × 50 cm), or integrated into an agroforestry system (spacing distance of 2-4 m) [45,46]. Intercropping with other staple food crops, like cassava, maize and sorghum, is very frequent in south Ethiopia and Kenya: Moringa leaves shed on the soil serve as green manure to increase soil fertility and to maximize crop yield [46]. Pruning increases branching and vegetative growth, being adequate to maximize leaf production, but the number of pods per plant decreases, despite showing no significant effect on seed weight [45].…”

“…Moringa seeds are usually sown during the rainy season and can germinate and grow without any irrigation. Still, for commercial purposes, Moringa seedlings are usually watered twice a day during three months, and irrigation through a drip system is recommended, in order to maintain leaf and seed production during the dry season [2,46]. Also, watering regimes had a significant effect on some growth parameters; the plants watered twice a day gave higher number of leaves and increased seeds weight and oil yield [42].…”

“…Over the last few years, pests, diseases and parasitic plants affecting Moringa crops have been the keen target of scientific researchers in the field, partly to maintain the survey of plantations and the high yields production of the tree parts (leaves, pods, seeds, etc.) and to prevent consumers' health hazards [46,51].…”

“…Mridha and Barakah (2015) [55] reported several pathogenic fungi in pods sold in Saudi Arabian markets. Parasitic plants growing on M. oleifera (e.g., Mistletoe Phoradendron quadrangulare (Viscaceae) in Mexico [56], Dendrophthoe falcata [57]) were also listed as a problem by farmers [46,56].…”