Hunger Project urges people to use moringa

The Hunger Project has urged communities in Neno District to use moringa tree leaves to fight malnutrition.

Hunger Project deputy board chairperson Rosemary Nhlema made the appeal on Monday at Ligowe, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mlauli in the district where officials from her organisation were on a tour to appreciate how people are using the tree, which is also known as miracle tree.

She urged people in the district to plant more moringa trees as their leaves have essential minerals salts crucial for human health apart from being an environmental conservation measure.

“We are encouraging communities here and the nation as whole to plant the moringa tree as we are in the tree planting season.

“This tree is multipurpose as its leaves contain high concentration of mineral salts which are good for human health, and also help to treat patients with high blood pressure and diabetes,” said Nhlema.

In an in interview on the sidelines of the tour, Neno district nutrition coordinating committee member Sekanabo Kapira said moringa tree is crucial in containing malnutrition in the district.

He said the leaves have different micro components such as vitamin A, B and C, iron and iodine which are essential for the growth and health of children.

Said Kapira: “As a district, we are trying hard to combat malnutrition. So, we are on a campaign where we are sensitising community members to the benefits of using products from moringa tree.”

In his remarks, T/A Mlauli asked people in his area to plant more moringa trees to combat the malnutrition.

As of last year, 30 percent of under-five children in the district were malnourished, according to Kapira.

The Hunger Project, whose main objective is to fight hunger in the country, distributed 45 000 moringa trees to people in the community.