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miracle tree>>food for life
haiti>>benzoliv processing
Benzoliv the Miracle Tree - processing
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Benzoliv 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 Benzoliv 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 Benzoliv 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)
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The Africa Bureau of Children's Discipleship, our African charity, is looking to establish
three small Moringa Processing plants in Malawi, Tanzania
and Uganda before we embark on our major commercial project
on a large portion of land in DR Congo. This vision has now exteded into earthquake struck Haiti.
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STEP 1- Harvesting:
Benzoliv 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 Benzoliv 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.
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The Benzoliv leaves are
transported to the Processing Plant where they are first
washed in large buckets or pots in well or catchment water.
- The second wash is done in 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
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The BSF removes almost all of the dirt and pathogens from water up to 99%! The BSF is a great low-tech answer to purify drinking water and is used in communities all over the world
In countries where people don't have running water in their home and have to use pond or standing water, a BioSand Filter is a great technology to give people clean, safe water that doesn't make them sick.
The Biolayer and the sand in the filter help remove the pathogens that make people sick.
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Since 2008 United Caribbean Trust has worked with organisations like 'Clean Water for Haiti' to introduce the BioSand Water Filtration system into Haiti. This is because we, like other International organizations such as Ohorizons, feel it is the most accessible, affordable (Less than US $100), easy to use, easy to maintain, and most durable design. |
Step 3 - Picking:
Hats, masks, gloves and over coats are worn
to comply with good food hygeine standards.
The washed Benzoliv 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 |
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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
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Step 5 - Pounding:
While hand grinding is still widely used it
is slow, time and labor intensive and often produces an inconsistent
Benzoliv leaf powder.
It is still used however at the stage before
grinding.
Photographs compliments of Shape
Lives Foundation |
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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
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Step 8- Weighing and packaging:
Photographs compliments of Shape
Lives Foundation
The estimated cost of establishing
this program is around US $15,000.
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This is the latest video from Shape
Lives Moringa (Benzoliv) Farm showing all the various stages of processing
Benzoliv and the processing methods. This various video shows
the experience gained in processing Benzoliv for the past
years and adopting the best hygiene practices to ensure
quality.
CLICK
to view
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SOWING SEEDS OF SUCCESS - MORINGA CURRICULUM
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