The Friends of Burkina Faso

Moringa is the name of a miracle tree, originally imported from India, which can grow in the savanna regions of West Africa. For the past two years, Friends of Burkina Faso has supported the Moringa Réseau project in Ténado. This project provides the community with affordable and nutritious food and a source of revenue for its farmers. By September 1, 2009, the Moringa Réseau had planted 8,300 Moringa trees, thereby attaining more than 80 percent of their ambitious goal of 10,000 planting/seedlings.

Ryan Gallagher, Peace Corps volunteer overseeing this project, informed the Committee that sales are robust and that the project is generating income for local producers. He also noted that fresh Moringa leaves are “readily available this time of year and the local women are buying them like crazy.” This is very good news because:
 1) Moringa tree alleviates malnutrition, an endemic problem is rural communities;
2) consumption of Moringa leaves is an important source of iron, calcium, and protein for children and their families; and
3) Moringa is a promising source of food during the dry season when other foods are scarce.