The Various Uses of  Moringa Oleifera. Moringa was well known to the ancient world, but only recently has it been “rediscovered” as a multi-purpose tree with a tremendous variety of potential uses. A lot of people are asking for the Yoruba name of the plant, moringa is not a native plant but is being called ‘igi iyanu; because of its many medicinal uses. Moringa is a plant for now and for the future, a moringa plantation can provide jobs for hundreds of Nigerians.

A plot of land using planting spacing of 3meters by 3meters will take about 100 stands and from a personal survey, 100 stands after 6 months can generate an income of N120,000 monthly from the powdered leaves.  Moringa Tea can also be a good product from your moringa trees. I advice that every reader of this column should order for their moringa seedlings as CUAD unfolds more local and export potential of moringa oleifera. Let us learn more on the uses of this wonderful tree.

Propagation:
Production rates within 3 years of planting one tree will produce 300 to 400 pods every year and a mature tree can produce up to 1,000 pods. Frequent pruning of the growth tips will maintain and increase leaf growth and the height can be controlled to make harvesting easier.

Uses:
The pleasant-tasting edible oil which can be extracted from the seeds was highly valued by the ancient Roman, Greek and Egyptian civilizations for use in making perfume and in protecting skin, and during the 19th century Moringa oleifera plantations in the West Indies were exporting the oil (known as Ben oil) to Europe for use in making perfumes and as a lubricant for fine machinery.

In the Indian sub-continent Moringa has long been cultivated for its edible fruit; today these are exported, fresh and in tins, to consumers in Asia and Europe . The edible leaves of the tree are very nutritious and are consumed throughout West Africa as well as in some parts of Asia . Powder from seed kernels works as a natural coagulant which can clarify even very turbid water, removing up to 99% of the bacteria in the process.

Among ways Moringa is used:
Alley cropping: With their rapid growth, long taproot, few lateral roots, minimal shade and large production of high-protein biomass, Moringa trees are well-suited for use in alley cropping systems.

Animal forage: Leaves are readily eaten by cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits. Leaves can also be used as food for carp and other fish.

Domestic cleaning agent: Crushed leaves are used in some parts of Nigeria to scrub cooking utensils or to clean walls.

Dye: The wood yields a blue dye which was used in Jamaica and in Senegal .

Fertilizer: The seed cake, although unsuitable as animal feed without treatment to remove the alkaloid and sapon in content, can be used as a protein-rich plant fertilizer.

Gum: The gum produced from a cut tree trunk has been used in calico printing, in making medicines and as a bland-tasting condiment.

Honey clarifier: Powdered seeds can be used to clarify honey without boiling. Seed powder can also be used to clarify sugar cane juice.

Honey producer: Flowers are a good source of nectar for honey-producing bees.

Live fencing: A common use of Moringa trees is to produce live supports for fencing around gardens.

Medicine: Every part of the tree is widely used to make a wide variety of traditional medicines. 

Ornamental: In many countries, Moringa trees are planted in gardens and along avenues as ornamental trees.

Plant disease prevention: Incorporating Moringa leaves into the soil before planting can prevent damping off disease (Pythium debaryanum) among seedlings.

Pulp: The soft, spongy wood makes a poor firewood, but the wood pulp is suitable for making newsprint and writing paper.

Rope-making: The bark of the tree can be beaten into a fiber for production of ropes or mats.

Tannin: The bark and gum can be used in tanning hides.
Stay blessed and keep farming!