Moringa farmers in Tamil Nadu sitting on a goldmine, waiting for a quantum leap
PKM1, a variety of Moringa oleifera, has created a global impact, especially in countries such as Senegal, Rwanda and Madagascar in the African continent. Leaves and flowers of this tree provide macronutrients and micronutrients that are believed to combat malnutrition among children in these countries.
But, Tamil Nadu farmers are yet to capitalise on this lucrative business unfolding in the international market, say experts. Before the arrival of PKM1, there were about six native varieties of moringa (murungai). All these varieties were perennial crops, with trees surviving up to 30 years. These varieties were not commercially viable and were propagated by stem cutting.
Horticulture College and Research Institute at Periyakulam in Dindigul district has been given a mandate to develop high-yielding varieties of vegetables, including moringa. In the late 1980s, the PKM1 variety was introduced by the institute. Its Dean J. Rajangam says germplasm study from the existing varieties of moringa helped in the birth of PKM1 variety. Now, it has been raised on 5,000 acres in Dindigul region, says Deputy Director of Horticulture B. Gayathri.
The PKM1 variety, propagated through seeds, is an annual crop that gives a yield of 20 tonnes per acre in a year and has been well-accepted by farmers. S. Subbian of K. Pudukottai near Reddiyarchathiram says compared to the native varieties, this variety within begins to give yield within six months and regular pruning helps in sustaining the yield for three years after which the yield declines. With care, some of the trees give a yield of 37 kg of drumsticks. Unlike the native breed, PKM1 grows only to a height of six feet, thus it is easier for plucking. It helps the trees from vagaries of nature. since moringa is a fragile tree, the native varieties grow to a great height and they are easily destroyed in gale and heavy rains.
Though technology has given the farmers this high yielding variety, no steps have been taken to provide value addition or to create a Farmer Producer Organisation in this region. 'There is no government cold storage facility in this region. If we had one, we could keep our produce when the market is dull and sell it when the prices are high,' says Mr. Subbian.
Besides, there are no solar dryers too. If the self-help groups had them, the nutrient-rich leaves could be dried and powdered. No standard procedures for production and pruning of the trees are also in place.
Moreover, the leaves are merely considered a by-product of moringa cultivation. If the farmers need to get a share of the pie in the international market, then it is time markets are identified and steps initiated to bring together the farmers as a collective so that they can process the leaves and export them on their own.
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