Moringa to support Kenyan farmers health & wealth

INTRODUCTION

Happy new year greetings from Drylands Natural Resources Centre (DNRC) fraternity. We are glad to share with us our progress report on Moringa to support Kenyan farmer’s health and wealth.This project is aimed at achieving DNRC main objectives of economic regeneration, environmental regeneration and community regeneration.On the environmental arm,DNRC nursery propagates diverse tree seedlings including moringa which is one of the best agroforest trees given its character of fast growth and less water requirements.Both moringa leaves and seeds have health benefits as well as economic benefits and due to these benefits DNRC developed this project of promoting Moringa for income and for nutrition. A part from the health and economic benefits, we promote moringa for the environmental benefits like soil building, improving microclimate and water infiltration among others.During this reporting period, DNRC training staff were able to conduct 10 formal trainings to different farmers on moringa.The tree nursery staff were able to propagate over 4000 moringa seedlings for planting. Below are detailed activities during the reporting period.

TRAINING AND FOLLOW UPS

During the reporting period, DNRC staff were mainly involved in the training farmers on trees management including moringa trees.During this period, farmers had 10 formal training for Moringa propagation, planting, management, harvesting and processing the leaves for powder. They also taught the farmers environmental benefits due to planting moringa to include soil and water conservation and microclimate benefits.

PROCESSING MORINGA PRODUCTS

During the reporting period, a total of 45 kgs of  fresh moringa leaves were received, dried under shade and processed for packaging. During the reporting period, we also processed and sold Over 50 litres of moringa oil.

CHALLENGES  

•  There is less market for the Moringa products though its growing
•  Cases of moringa pests especially caterpillar during the dry seasons
•  Less rains leading to less period of leave harvesting and the seeds

PLAN FOR THE NEXT QUARTER

•  Propagating more Moringa seedlings for the farmers.
•  More trainings on Moringa management and processing