While climate change is wreaking havoc throughout the world, Africa is more vulnerable to it's devastating effects than others due to the continent's very high dependence on agriculture.

"Pula," one of the most commonly heard words in Botswana, is not only the name of Botswana's currency, but also the Setswana word for rain. So much of what takes place in the Southern African country relies on this essential, frequently scarce commodity.

Botswana, a semi-arid region, has over the years been battling frequent droughts, heat waves and rising temperatures due to climate change. As a result, agriculture has become the most affected sector, thus compromising the country's food security.

Consequently, the intensifying droughts have continued to worsen Botswana's human and wildlife existence, which has also led to livestock and crop losses, leaving traditional farmers destitute, with some local farmers having abandoned or resorted to selling their farmlands.

However, it is said that "to every dark cloud, there is a silver lining," and in this context, a plant – Moringa - is becoming a favorable and alternative commodity among local Batswana farmers.

Favorable commodity

"Don't sell your land, we know times are hard now, but you will not benefit from it in the long run. That kind of money does not last," Assistant Minister of Basic Education Nnaniki Makwinja recently urged local farmers. "Rather than selling, consider growing moringa trees on your farms as the plant is one of the three projects we have since chosen in the socio-economic development of the cluster of our villages."

She implored local farmers to instead consider moringa as their "green diamond."

According to the Department of Agricultural Research, Statistics and Policy Development of Botswana's Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security, about 69 percent of the population benefits from agriculture – as farmers, laborers or both; but prolonged droughts have affected the cultivation of crops and raising of livestock.

"I was attracted to this plant because it is planted organically and also because of its various food and medicinal properties. Therefore, the added value of this commodity will actually benefit local farmers in the country," Botswana Organic and Natural Foods Association (BONFA) Chairperson Oyapo Chimidza told ChinAfrica.

Chimidza said smallholder farmers have started on a small scale, despite a lack of adequate water. He affirmed that the commodity has a good market because it is in short supply locally and abroad, adding that his association is in the process of securing seeds and seedlings to get started.

BONFA, a moringa growing organization, is comprised of over 100 smallholder farmers in south Botswana who promote the development of the moringa industry in the country by engaging with the government and other relevant authorities on matters that affect their industry, while facilitating the development capacity and training of members and other stakeholders.

Nutritionists say that moringa is a versatile plant and every part of the plant can be eaten or used as ingredients in traditional herbal medicines. Its leaves and pods are a good source of many vitamins and minerals, including proteins, vitamin B, vitamin C, iron and magnesium, among others.

For this reason, Moringa Technology Industry, based in Gaborone, Botswana's capital, has been adding value to the moringa plant since 2014.

The Chinese processor and manufacturer of moringa products recently delivered the good news to hopeless local Batswana farmers and briefed them on the limited availability of moringa tree yields such as the leaves, sticks and pods that are used as raw material to produce moringa oil, nuts, noodles, powder, tea, pills, pasta and instant porridge, a few products that have already been stocked up in various local shops, chain stores and pharmacies.

"I want local farmers to start planting moringa trees so they can supply our manufacturing company that produces various moringa products," Moringa Technology Industry Managing Director Hu Yan said, adding that once local farmers are encouraged to grow moringa trees, the company can start exporting moringa products to Europe and the United States through the Botswana Investment and Trade Center.

With its wide range of health benefits that makes it appealing to European consumers who are looking for natural health products to improve their health and well-being, demand for moringa is increasing in the European market. The commodity's nutritional supplements are said to be increasing because of an ageing population, rising veganism and vegetarianism, growing need to reduce calories and weight loss, among others.

The global moringa products market was estimated at $5 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $8.4 billion by 2026, according to the Facts and Factors, a global business consulting firm.

Regardless of the fact that Botswana is a semi-arid country with unpredictable rainfall, Hu has embraced moringa farming techniques with ease since the "wonder plant" requires little water and manpower, making it an ideal plant for the harsh weather conditions in the country. Notwithstanding the climate change challenges that continue to daunt local farmers' productivity which hampers their endeavor to end poverty, Hu has instead been living in Botswana since 1996, a country he now considers home in which he is doing all he can to contribute to its agricultural productivity.

However, trade experts are of the view that at least 50 tons of moringa is required to start exports, hence, Hu has planted over 20,000 moringa trees at his company's Tlokweng farm since 2017 and has also been training local farmers on growing moringa trees and giving them seeds to get started.

With Hu's quest to ensure that about 500,000 trees are planted within the greater Gaborone area, his efforts have since attracted both the young and old farmers from across the country.

"We go to some other villages around Gaborone and we show them how to plant this tree. We want them to then supply us (later on) after the trees are ready. This way, they too can do their own business," he reiterated.

Cecilia Boitumelo, a 42-year-old farmer, said from Hu's workshop which was recently held within the Lentsweletau-Mmopane area, she learnt a lot regarding moringa production and has resolved to start planting in a bid to supply to a readily available local market.

Ben Kgengwenyane, a small-scale farmer from Borolong Village in the outskirts of Gaborone, considers moringa plant as a game changer in his farming activities.

"I have always been a farmer of legumes, but with our constant unfavorable weather pattern, I always wanted a crop that is drought-resistant and can give me good money. After I discovered the moringa factory, I am now excited to grow the commodity," Kgengwenyane said.

(Reporting from Botswana)

(Printed Edition Title: Fruitful Plantation) 

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