Articles
Promotion of Moringa products via an inclusive value chain for economic, social and environmental impacts in Africa
Article number
1348_34
Pages
247 – 252
Language
English
Abstract
One of the biggest challenges facing West African countries is how to create opportunities for the millions of women and young people to live meaningful lives and sustained livelihoods.
Mali is a landlocked country where 80% of the population practice agriculture as their main source of income.
The country is endowed with abundant fertile lands yet farming communities continue to be affected by food insecurity and malnutrition.
Climate change affects considerably the agriculture sector with problems related to erosion, drought and irregular rainfall.
Each year, 6 million t of wood are exploited by the population for fuelwood.
Fuelwood constitutes more than 90% of total national energy use in the country.
Deforestation and soil erosion remain one of the two main environmental problems.
For Mali to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda and improve the living standards of the population, it is important to find new directions in scaling up production, processing local raw materials and exporting worldwide.
This paper proposes a green innovative method to create economic, social and environmental impacts via the promotion and commercialization of Moringa products with an inclusive value chain including the most vulnerable people, women and youth.
Classified as a Superfood, Moringa oleifera is a fast growing, drought, harsh climate, sun- and heat-loving tree that can grow up to 2 m particularly suitable for dryland countries such as Mali.
By developing an effective buyer-driven approach with women and young farmers in rural areas, promoting Moringa planting in all over the country and by commercializing processed Moringa leaves into tea, powder and oil, will contribute to creating economic, social and environmental impacts in Africa region and ensure sustainability by making profits out of the commercialization.
Mali is a landlocked country where 80% of the population practice agriculture as their main source of income.
The country is endowed with abundant fertile lands yet farming communities continue to be affected by food insecurity and malnutrition.
Climate change affects considerably the agriculture sector with problems related to erosion, drought and irregular rainfall.
Each year, 6 million t of wood are exploited by the population for fuelwood.
Fuelwood constitutes more than 90% of total national energy use in the country.
Deforestation and soil erosion remain one of the two main environmental problems.
For Mali to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda and improve the living standards of the population, it is important to find new directions in scaling up production, processing local raw materials and exporting worldwide.
This paper proposes a green innovative method to create economic, social and environmental impacts via the promotion and commercialization of Moringa products with an inclusive value chain including the most vulnerable people, women and youth.
Classified as a Superfood, Moringa oleifera is a fast growing, drought, harsh climate, sun- and heat-loving tree that can grow up to 2 m particularly suitable for dryland countries such as Mali.
By developing an effective buyer-driven approach with women and young farmers in rural areas, promoting Moringa planting in all over the country and by commercializing processed Moringa leaves into tea, powder and oil, will contribute to creating economic, social and environmental impacts in Africa region and ensure sustainability by making profits out of the commercialization.
Publication
Authors
R. Traore, G. Zinsou, K. Balema
Keywords
Moringa, climate change, value chain, poverty alleviation, Mali
Groups involved
- Division Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology
- Division Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nuts
- Division Temperate Tree Fruits
- Division Temperate Tree Nuts
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Ornamental Plants
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Postharvest and Quality Assurance
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Division Sustaining Horticulture in a Changing World
- Division Landscape and Urban Horticulture
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