Moringa to support Kenyan farmers health & wealth

INTRODUCTION

Drylands Natural Resources Centre (DNRC) tirelessly continues to work towards achieving her objectives of environmental regeneration, economic development and community regeneration. Moringa is one of the dryland tree species we promote because of its diverse benefits which range from health benefits through consuming both the leaves and leave powder, source of income (Sale of both Moringa powder and seeds) provides other ecosystem services like soil building since it’s an agroforestry tree. The multipurpose of Moringa tree is able to meet has made it become a lovable tree in many households. So far, the farmers who have been planting Moringa have testified the positive impacts they have witnessed in their health progressively and the need to continue consuming the same. Farmers continue to benefit from sale of both moringa leaves and moringa seeds income through DNRC.

During this reporting period, the following activities took place: Trainings and follows ups on the farmer’s farms progress, sourcing of moringa seeds to press moringa oil for our international order, buying and drying moringa leaves from farmers for processing moringa powder, packing moringa powder and Potting in preparation to plant more moringa seedlings to be issued to the farmers in the upcoming November – December rains. Below are detailed activities during the reporting quarter.

TRAININGS AND OUTREACH

During the reporting quarter, we were busy doing trainings and follow ups amongst the farmers. The follow ups majorly focused on the progress of newly planted moringa seedlings as well as the older moringa trees. The trainings focused on moringa tree management for better production.

SOURCING MORINGA SEEDS  FROM FARMERS

Currently DNRC has an oil press machine and the Moringa oil is currently pressed at DNRC, packaged, then sold out. This value addition has seen increase in the value thus farmers and DNRC making more money. During the reporting quarter, we were busy sourcing Moringa seeds for oil press. So far we have sourced 800kgs and the order is still ongoing as well as pressing.

BUYING MORINGA LEAVES FROM FARMERS FOR MORINGA POWDER PROCESSING

During this reporting quarter, we received a total 50 kgs of moringa leaves and the same was dried under shade and processed. After processing a total of 10.6 kgs moringa powder was achieved.

POTTING IN PREPARATION TO SOW MORINGA SEEDS FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON

During the reporting quarter, we have potted over 3000 pots which will be sowed moringa seeds for the upcoming season and we continue to tend the moringa saplings in the DNRC tree Nursery.

CHALLENGES

During this reporting period, major challenge was water for the nursery.

PLAN FOR THE NEXT QUARTER

• Propagate at least 4000 moringa seedlings.
• Manage the moringa seedlings together with other seedlings in the nursery.