Moringa in International Development
World of Agroforesty Center Database-lists the core benefits and details of the moringa tree. (link)
“Moringa Oleifera: Miracle Tree for the Rural Poor?”, by Rishabh Kaul at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani, India (published at Next Billion Blog)
Trees of Life (including a Powerpoint presentation on moringa in international development)
The lessons learned from Komanza in Kenya in micro-forestry (both from an agricultural and enterprise) may be applicable. The work at Working Villages International may also prove instructive in the productive cultivation of the moringa tree specifically.
I think three large questions need to be answered with regard to:
1) Where to use or sell the moringa end product? (although this isn’t an either-or question, but an important strategic question given the increase of moringa use in the US)
2) What end product from moringa will you use? (what % of moringa can be used in the end product–which will likely effect its effectiveness)
3) What is your goal you are trying to accomplish by cultivating moringa? (with the “miracle drug” hype that surrounds moringa, what are the key end results that you are looking to create and how can you measure those end goals: improved health or improved income or something else?)
4) What is your start up cost? Timeframe?
5) How can you sustainably grow the moringa tree in the country/region you are targeting?
Are there other notable applications of the moringa tree in social enterprise or international development? Any relevant best practice or case study or insight on the moringa tree in development?
