Sixty households benefit from moringa plantation
The exportation of moringa products beyond Africa demonstrates the relevance and importance of traditional knowledge and the international recognition of Namibia’s locally produced products.
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said the Likwaterera moringa plantation has obtained an international certification standard, allowing the products to access the European market and generate income for the community.
He made the remarks at a handover of the Moringa production site in the Likwaterera community forest in the Kavango East Region.
The site is focused on scaling up organic production of moringa oleifera as a form of diversification of livelihoods and sustainable community development.
The Likwaterera community forest covers an area of 13 790 hectares.
Situated in the Rundu Rural constituency, its conservancy resilience horticultural project was funded to the tune of more than N$5.2 million under community-based natural resource management and the Empower to Adapt project implemented through the Environmental Investment Fund.
Landmark moment
Shifeta said the site’s handover is a landmark moment in their quest to ensure sustainable natural resource management, and is an integral part of national efforts to eradicate poverty in Namibia.
According to him, moringa oleifera - also known as the ‘tree of life’ and the ‘miracle tree’ - is one of the most nutritious plants in the world.
It has a wide range of nutritional and bioactive compounds, making it a powerful antioxidant.
“It should not surprise us that this product finds its market share in the European market. Let’s continue to increase its production and domesticate the plant for more foreign earning.”
The minister added that the Likwaterera community sees an opportunity to diversify its farming practice and not only rely on rain-fed production, and sees opportunities for a paradigm shift in producing one of the most recognised plants internationally.
“The Likwaterera moringa plantation demonstrates the potential in effectively addressing issues of unemployment and foreign earning and builds momentum for sustainable economic growth in our country.”
60 households benefit
Currently, a 10-hectare piece of land has been fenced off, with five hectares used for moringa plantation. In addition, the project has successfully constructed a moringa processing warehouse, installed five 10 000-litre water tanks and procured an animal feed processing machine.
Furthermore, it has directly benefitted a total of 60 households by establishing backyard moringa plantations to supplement the harvest at the main plantation hub.
“This specific project is one of the best innovation interventions in the country and has the potential to contribute to national economic growth. It is important that we deploy a paradigm shift mechanism to fight the impact of climate change,” Shifeta said.
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said the Likwaterera moringa plantation has obtained an international certification standard, allowing the products to access the European market and generate income for the community.
He made the remarks at a handover of the Moringa production site in the Likwaterera community forest in the Kavango East Region.
The site is focused on scaling up organic production of moringa oleifera as a form of diversification of livelihoods and sustainable community development.
The Likwaterera community forest covers an area of 13 790 hectares.
Situated in the Rundu Rural constituency, its conservancy resilience horticultural project was funded to the tune of more than N$5.2 million under community-based natural resource management and the Empower to Adapt project implemented through the Environmental Investment Fund.
Landmark moment
Shifeta said the site’s handover is a landmark moment in their quest to ensure sustainable natural resource management, and is an integral part of national efforts to eradicate poverty in Namibia.
According to him, moringa oleifera - also known as the ‘tree of life’ and the ‘miracle tree’ - is one of the most nutritious plants in the world.
It has a wide range of nutritional and bioactive compounds, making it a powerful antioxidant.
“It should not surprise us that this product finds its market share in the European market. Let’s continue to increase its production and domesticate the plant for more foreign earning.”
The minister added that the Likwaterera community sees an opportunity to diversify its farming practice and not only rely on rain-fed production, and sees opportunities for a paradigm shift in producing one of the most recognised plants internationally.
“The Likwaterera moringa plantation demonstrates the potential in effectively addressing issues of unemployment and foreign earning and builds momentum for sustainable economic growth in our country.”
60 households benefit
Currently, a 10-hectare piece of land has been fenced off, with five hectares used for moringa plantation. In addition, the project has successfully constructed a moringa processing warehouse, installed five 10 000-litre water tanks and procured an animal feed processing machine.
Furthermore, it has directly benefitted a total of 60 households by establishing backyard moringa plantations to supplement the harvest at the main plantation hub.
“This specific project is one of the best innovation interventions in the country and has the potential to contribute to national economic growth. It is important that we deploy a paradigm shift mechanism to fight the impact of climate change,” Shifeta said.
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