Hawassa University

Hawassa, Etiópia

An Overview Of Our Solution

Moringa stenopetala, known as African Moringa has a wide range of adaptation; from the arid to humid climates and can be grown in a various land use patterns. It can grow on marginal land which is not suitable for traditional agriculture, forestry or any agro-forestry crop. Moringa use has been growing rapidly in recent years. Therefore, the tree is becoming popular as an excellent substitute for food in drought prone areas. It’s ecological and health related value is also another importance. It is hoped that the efforts of the research team and other interested groups will be instrumental in developing methods to promote the sustainable exploitation of M. stenopetala as a food source, ecological importance and a medicinal plant.

Who is this solution impacting?

Community Type

Rural

Organization type

Governo

Ecosystem (select all that apply)

Forests

Population impacted

More than 10, 0000 farmers will benefit from this

Size of agricultural area

From the three districts, more than 2000 hectare will be covered

Production quantity

250 kuntals will be expected from these three districts

People employed

20 people

Describe your solution

Solutions/Mitigation • Fund raising/searching for source of fund (NGOs, AUSAID, GRM support) • Using community, district / individual farmers nursaries • Discussion with stakeholders/Community • Awareness Creation through capacity building Seedling preparation and distribution

Describe your implementation

Implementation/Sustainability/ Making the plan participatory Making it part of community development work Making the work part of cooperative work Multidisciplinary approach Monitoring and Evaluating its Effectiveness and Impact. • Beneficiary feed back • Annual report • Job creation • Weakness and success assessment • Close follow up

External connections

¬ Moringa is very important tree especially in water stressed, degraded and food in secured areas. It may help to rehabilitate degraded areas, marginal areas and poor soils. The plant also, well known by its medicinal, ecological and economic importance’s. Therefore, woreda agricultural experts, regional agricultural bureau, religious leaders, and NGOS and University researchers will engage in this project. Moringa may be also cultivated by integrating it with other crops and trees. This nature of the plant links with biodiversity conservation and forestry which are the two main concern of Ethiopian Government.

What is the environmental or ecological challenge you are targeting with your solution?

In Ethiopia, deforestation, agricultural expansion & resettlement resulted in biodiversity loss & food insecurity. Since then, erosion, flooding, drought were major challenges facing the country. To reverse this, using indigenous knowledge & plants such as Moringa trees are paramount as the major staple foods supplement, medicine, ecological, economic & pharmaceutical product development. The tree grows widely in southern parts of Ethiopia w/ various land use patterns (poor soil, marginal lands, can be harvested annually w/o depletion). It is a strategic multi-purpose tree & unique food tree in drought prone areas. Although commercialization has been slow, Moringa is becoming an increasingly important economic asset in poverty eradication, economic, environmental development but the community has limited knowledge about the importance of this plant. Capacity building training, quality seed provision, small scale nursery site establishment & market links will be the best solution

Describe the context in which you are operating

Moringa the “Miracle” tree is the well –known source of vitamins, animal feeds, medicines, nutritions and of great importance in ecological protection. A study conducted by Aberra et al. (2009) indicated that the leaves of M. stenopetala are rich in crude protein (28.2%) and contain reasonable amounts of essential amino acids
Even though the tree is economically and ecologically important and available in sidama zone espacially in Boricha, H/zuria, W/ genet, Dale, and Tula woreds, there is a limited knowledge in the production, quality seed, utilization and management. To minimize this knowledge gab, both practical and theoretical aspects of capacity building training will be organized on nursery establishment, compost preparation, product harvesting and processing, nutritional value, economic, ecological and health importance of M. Stenopetala.

How did you impact natural resource use and greenhouse gas emissions?

This project will integrate nutritional, economic and ecological importance of M. stenopetal. It also assures M. stenopetala production with technical skills and knowledge as well as enhances the sustainable supply of seed and seedling for the nearby farmers. Many of the landless farmers may engage in producing Moringa on small land and will be benefited. For these households, Moringa is the major source of income. But in addition to the traditional use of this tree and its products, attention should be towards the value adding process which will result in creating additional jobs to citizens and increased return from the sector. These products may be used for industrial, household and medicinal purposes. Individuals will be getting job opportunities. Cultivation of the plant will help in conserving natural environment by reducing erosion, land slip and the like, which are very common in the country and especially in the region. Generally this project will positively affect all the supply chain of Moringa and Moringa products; farmers, small business owners and potential owners, investors… etc. It will has additional advantages such as providing a link between rural and urban communities, poverty reduction, environmental protection and community development. And the huge potential development may benefit the country’s effort to join the middle income countries, and the effort to secure the Millennium Development Goals.

Language(s)

Amharic, Oromo

Water

This plant is very important in the restoration of degraded land and poor soil. It simply grows on dry soil and conserves water.

Food Security/Nutrition

Moringa is very important plant which is used as supplementary food in drought prone areas. Therefore, this project will help in food security and poverty reduction.

Economic/Sustainable Development

For poor and landless farmers, Moringa production generates income and improves the livelihood of the society. For instance, 1kg of Moringa may cost 250 Ethiopian birr which is approximately equivalent to $11 USA dollar.

Climate

Climate change is a global issue. As a result of climate change, people may suffer from food insecurity and poverty. Therefore, Moringa production is a key to improve food security in water stressed areas.

Sustainability

¬ Once the farmers/community/ understand the economic, ecological and health benefit of moringa, and connected with market, the project will sustain itself by market based revenue and governmental subsides.

Return on investment

¬ For all activities such as capacity building training, seed purchasing, nursery site establishment, transport, fuel, material purchased, and perdiem, will cost approximately $30,000 USA dollar. But, it will be possible to reduce the amount and to use small group of farmers.

How could we successfully replicate this solution elsewhere?

¬ This project is a new project and once its sustainability and profit is evaluated, it will be possible to replicate the solution as well as project.

Overview