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Moringa the miracle tree
Growing Moringa in Africa
Processing Moringa in Africa

Chakula kwa Maisha - Moringa Oleifera - 'Mlonge Inasindika'

Moringa

Moringa (Mlonge) is one the greatest gifts which Nature bestowed on man - this was known to the ancient world and they regarded the tree as a “Cure-all Tree”. They also saw the Moringa tree as an “Elixir of long life”, “the Tree of Immortality”, “the Tree of Life”, “the Never Die Tree”, “the Miracle Tree" and “Mother’s best friend”.

Other common names for Moringa are Drumstick tree (referring to the large drumstick shaped pods) Horse-radish tree, Benolive tree (referring to the oil that can be squeezed out of the seeds)

UCT is looking to establish three small Moringa Processing plants in Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda before we embark on our major commercial project in Kenya.

Seen here the land in Malawi in Uluwa donated to UCT and the site selected for our Malawi Moringa Pilot Project.

STEP 1- Harvesting:

Moringa can be grown intensively with no irrigation and small amounts of fertilizer. Harvesting the leaves every 75 days—four crops in a year with around 100 tons of green matter per hectare the first year, and 57 tons per hectare the second year.

 

If however the Moringa plantation is irrigated and fertilized harvesting can be achieved every 35 days—nine crops per year—with a total yield of 650 tons of green matter per hectare. This yield can be consistent from the same plants for seven years.

 

STEP 1: Harvesting:
STEP 1: Harvesting:


 
Step 2 - Washing:
Step 2 - Washing:
Step 2 - Washing:

Step 2 - Washing:

  1. The Moringa leaves are transported to the Processing Plant where they are first washed in large buckets or pots in well or catchment water.

  2. The second wash is done using BioSand filtered water. This particular type of filter is an adaptation of the traditional slow sand filter, which has been used for community water treatment for almost 200 years. The BSF is smaller and adapted for intermittent use, making it most suitable for households, typically around five people. The filter body, or the outside of the filter (also known as the filter container), is commonly made of concrete.

Photographes compliments of Shape Lives Foundation




Step 3 - Picking:

Hats, masks, gloves and over coats are worn to comply with good food hygeine standards.

The washed Moringa leaves are then removed from the twigs. (These can be chopped into 10cm pieces and fed to cattle, sheep or goats)

Once removed the leaves are collected and placed in a large bowl.

Photographs compliments of Shape Lives Foundation

Step 3 - Picking:
Step 3 - Picking:
Step 3 - Picking:

Step 4 - Drying:
Step 4 - Drying:
Step 4 - Drying:

Step 4 - Drying:

The leaves are now placed in the drying trays in the shade for 2 - 3 days.

The leaves are shifted around a few times per day to ensure a circulation of air.

The drying area must be rodent free.

Photographs compliments of Shape Lives Foundation

Step 5 - Pounding:

While hand grinding is still widely used it is slow, time and labor intensive and often produces an inconsistent Moringa leaf powder.

It is still used however at the stage before grinding.

Photographs compliments of Shape Lives Foundation

Step 5 - Pounding:
Step 5 - Pounding:
Step 5 - Pounding:

Step 6 - Grinding:
Step 6 - Grinding:
Step 6 - Grinding:

Step 6 - Grinding:

A flour grinding mill can be used attached to a small engine to work the machine.

Photographs compliments of Shape Lives Foundation

Moringa Moringa processing
Moringa
Step 7- Sieving

Photographs compliments of Shape Lives Foundation

Step 7- Sieving
Step 7- Sieving
Step 7- Sieving

Step 8- Weighing and packaging:
Step 8- Weighing and packaging:
Step 8- Packaging: and sealing

Step 8- Weighing and packaging:

The estimated cost of establishing this program is around US $15,000.

Photographs compliments of Shape Lives Foundation

CLICK to view

This is the latest video from Shape Lives Moringa Farm showing all the various stages of processing Moringa and the processing methods. This various video shows the experience gained in processing Moringa for the past years and adopting the best hygiene practices to ensure quality.

CLICK to view

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