Arcahaie / Moringa

‘One rounded teaspoon (8g.) of Moringa leaf powder will satisfy about 14% of the protein, 40% of the calcium, 23% of the iron and nearly all the vitamin A needs for a child aged 1 to 3. Six rounded spoonfuls of leaf powder will satisfy nearly all of a woman’s daily iron and calcium needs during pregnancy and breast-feeding”

Lowell Fuglie/CWS

Malnutrition causes a great deal of Haitian suffering and is associated with more than half of all deaths of children worldwide. Malnutrition severely impacts on the socio-economic development of a nation such as Haiti, because a work force that is stunted both mentally and physically may have a multiplier effect on the general welfare of the population and also contributes significantly towards keeping a population in a downward trend of poverty and nutritional insecurity. Thus nutrition plays an important role in the reproduction of poverty from one generation to the next.

In keeping with “food, water and jobs” being the primary focus upon the ARN Foundation of Haiti/Signa Haiti’s programs, the Moringa oleifera tree (benzolive) has a primary place amongst all ARN agro-forest plantations, as the tree provides valued resources to meet all three focus points. The ARN nurseries:

• maintain a stock of 500,000 Morigna oliefera stock trees throughout the year;
• provide a micro-economic plan to Haitian farmers for revenue incentive management of Moringa tree plantations;
• process the leaf powder as a human nutritional supplement;
• cold press the seed oil;
• prepare a Moringa plant growth hormone;
• cultivate the Moringa shoots as ‘green manure’;
• utilize the Moringa seed within water treatment plants.

The Moringa oleifera is a ‘perennial green’ which produces a crop for more than one
season, and is a year round source for nutrition, and job creation. Often farmers in Haiti do not take full advantage of the unique opportunity of having a year-round growing season because they may not have crops that can take the intense heat or draught conditions. Such a climate with its diversity of trees and crops…. and a strong emphasis on perennial based crops that are reliable and easy to manage…. can allow a Haitian farm to achieve year-round productive potential. A strong dependence upon a perennial crop such as Moringa oleifera which can be grown on ‘marginal’ non-agronomic land, is highly draught resistant, and already a recognizable tree though out Haiti, can greatly extend the growing season, reduce labor costs, and provide sustained, long-term food security.

For further Moringa oliefera information:

• The Miracle Tree, The Multiple Attributes of Moringa
  Edited by Lowell Fuglie
• The Mooring News (www.moringanews.org)