Situational analysis and promotion of the cultivation and utilisation of the Moringa oleifera tree in selected sub-Saharan Africa countries.

Abstract

Malnutrition, poverty and lack of safe drinking water and sanitation are serious problems in developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa. The Moringa oleifera (MO) tree could be the solution to these problems due to its medicinal, nutritional and water purification. The aim of the study was to assess and promote the cultivation and utilisation of the MO in 5 SADC countries namely Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zambia. The study was done between September 2010 and March 2011. It was found that the tree is generally used for nutritional and medicinal purposes except in Namibia where another species is found. The prices of the products vary from country-to-country. The information about the benefits of the MO was well received although a lot still needs to be done in order to benefit from this sustainable resource.