Despite its multipurpose benefits, the Moringa sub-sector in Ethiopia has not been exploited to its full potential. ©FAO

Addis Ababa - Stakeholders in Ethiopia highlighted the importance of the Moringa subsector as a critical component of food and nutrition security, climate resilience, and livelihood improvement. They made the remarks on 03 March 2021, during a Project Steering Committee meeting for a new three-year (2021 – 2024) project that will further develop the Moringa value chain in Ethiopia.

Moringa is known worldwide for its nutritional and medicinal benefits and industrial uses. It is endemic to Ethiopia's southern part, where over five million people use it as a staple food and medicinal plant.

"Despite its multipurpose benefits, the Moringa sub-sector in Ethiopia has not been exploited to its full potential," said Aneteneh Fekadu, Vice President, Rural Development Sector Coordinator and Head/Bureau of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' (SNNP) Region.

In line with Ethiopia's development plans, the project - ‘Improved rural livelihoods through supporting the Moringa value chain development in SNNP Region,' aims to enhance economic empowerment, poverty reduction, food and nutrition security, and sustainable use of natural resources in SNNP regional state. It will, among others, develop value-adding rural agro-processing activities, and raise awareness on Moringa health benefits.

The USD 1.6 million project (FAO’s component) is funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). It will be jointly implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The SNNP Regional Bureau of Agriculture and Natural Resources will the government counterpart providing overall leadership.

FAO will focus on enhancing Moringa production and productivity, sustainable use of natural resources, product quality standardization, nutrition-sensitive value chain management, women's inclusion, effective integration, and backward and forward linkages of value chain actors.

Jacopo Damelio, FAO Ethiopia Programme Officer, hailed the project partnership, saying, "it will galvanize the collective actions by all actors to yield great impact."

On her part, Isabella Lucaferri, Head of AICS, said, "The project can bring many changes to the beneficiaries, including evidence of the health benefits of Moringa."

The new project builds on the achievements of the initial pilot phase implemented by UNIDO that developed value-adding rural agro-processing units that support women farmers' cluster organizations.

Moringa versatility

Almost every part of the Moringa plant: root, leaf, bark, gum, leaf, flowers, seed, and fruit (pods) has nutritional value. Moringa leaves are an excellent source of vitamins A, B, C, minerals, and the Sulphur-containing amino acids methionine and cysteine. Moringa products have antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The Moringa trees are an excellent source of nutritious livestock feed, provide windbreaks and reduce soil erosion. Moringa is fast-growing and typically grows in semi-dry deserts with very little moisture because its roots can store moisture for a long time.

In addition to human and animal nutrition, Moringa-based products are very marketable. They have the potential to strengthen livelihoods and alleviate rural poverty.

Contact

Rachel Nandelenga

Communications Consultant

FAO Ethiopia

[email protected]

@FAOEthiopia

Tamiru Legesse

National Communication Officer

FAO Ethiopia

[email protected]

@FAOEthiopia