Food and Health Security of Moringa Tree – The Source of Food and Energy for the 21st Century: The Case Study of Ethiopia

Abstract

This study examined the paradox situation of the benefits of Moringa Tree, i.e. Firstly, Moringa is designated in the literature as the “The Miracle-Wonder Tree” or “The Source of Food and Energy for the twenty-first century” or in short as the “Tree of Life”. According to the literature, Moringa tree has the following benefits: Nutritional Value (healthy diet), i.e. Moringa of ingredients or contents, vitamins, minerals; Medicinal Value; Water Purification; Animal Feed; Environmental Protection benefits. Secondly, despite the fact that Ethiopia has an incredible variety of biodiversity of traditional useful plants and other untapped natural resources like Moringa tree, the people of Ethiopia are not getting the benefits of this huge resources of the country. Thirdly, although there are allegedly scientific researches and/or studies as well as indigenous knowledge about the multi-purposes of Moringa tree, for instance the above stated benefits, there is no any information about the systematic applications of the nutritional, medicinal and environmental benefits of Moringa tree in the society on the ground for example in Ethiopia whether these advantages and possible negative side effects of this plant are already tested and certified by the concerning authorities. In other words, these benefits of Moringa tree should be prescribed and fixed the dosages and the length of time of application by the authorized specialists and/or governmental institutions in Ethiopian context. Although four concerning Ethiopian Federal Institutions were requested by the author of this Paper (on behalf of Wolaita Sodo University) to share information with the University concerning this issue, none of these four Ethiopian Federal Institutions didn’t respond. Therefore, the author of this Paper  recommends that the results of the research on the benefits of Moringa tree should be available to the society (community) systematically, scientifically, easily understandable, legally useable. Because there are risks of massive utilization and inflated price in the market which may encourage indiscriminate adulteration with cheap materials that could have undesired effect on public health for instance in Ethiopia. Moreover, the main objective or purpose of a research is to make the results or the benefits of the research available to the society or community. Otherwise research without community services or outreach programs remain like (candle)-light in a big water pot or tanker. Therefore, to raise awareness among the community about the benefits, availability, usage (dosage) possible negative side effects of Moringa tree is important.

Keywords: “Moringa Tree”, “Miracle Tree”, “Tree of Life”, “Benefits of Moringa Tree”, “Wonder Tree”, community/society, awareness