Komeho's moringa project bears fruit
Komeha''s moringa project, deemed self-sufficient by the Environmental Investment Fund, generates N$150 000 in revenue.
A moringa tree cultivation project started by the Komeho Namibia Development Agency was handed over to the community of the Kaisosi settlement in Rundu last week.
The Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) funded the project, which is now considered to be self-sufficient.
The community of Kaisosi will continue working on it to generate an income.
Speaking at the official handover of the project, EIF director of operations Karl Aribeb said he was happy with the progress of the project over the two years.
“The main objective of this project is to support initiatives that directly address the issues of poverty alleviation,” Aribeb said.
The EIF promotes the sustainable economic development of Namibia through investment in and promotion of activities and projects that protect and maintain the natural and environmental resources of the country.
Komeho Namibia, a non-profit organisation, received N$500 000 from EIF to cultivate the moringa trees for two years.
The project included the setup of a one-hectare garden for the tree plantation, which employed more than 30 people from Kaisosi.
The final report by Komeho indicated that about N$150 000 was generated through the sale of moringa products.
The moringa tree is classified as a ''super food''. The tree grows naturally in some parts of Namibia, and parts of the plant are said to be safe for human consumption.
Max Musongo, the chief administrator of Komeho Namibia, told Nampa Wednesday the flowers which grow on the moringa tree are sold to an organisation known as the Senior Experts Association in Germany.
The oil in the seeds are sold locally for use in hair food, anti-aging gel and shampoo.
The leaves from the tree are dried and turned into a powder for human consumption as well as animal feed. The powder can be incorporated into bread and other food.
Aribeb said over 1500 people at Kaisosi have benefited from the nutritional value of the moringa tree since the inception of the project.
Komeho Namibia was formed in 2001 to contribute to Namibia''s national development objectives by promoting economic growth, local value addition, and job creation.
The organisation also promotes sustainable management of natural resources, capacity building, reduction of income inequality and alleviation of poverty in rural and urban areas.
NAMPA
The Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) funded the project, which is now considered to be self-sufficient.
The community of Kaisosi will continue working on it to generate an income.
Speaking at the official handover of the project, EIF director of operations Karl Aribeb said he was happy with the progress of the project over the two years.
“The main objective of this project is to support initiatives that directly address the issues of poverty alleviation,” Aribeb said.
The EIF promotes the sustainable economic development of Namibia through investment in and promotion of activities and projects that protect and maintain the natural and environmental resources of the country.
Komeho Namibia, a non-profit organisation, received N$500 000 from EIF to cultivate the moringa trees for two years.
The project included the setup of a one-hectare garden for the tree plantation, which employed more than 30 people from Kaisosi.
The final report by Komeho indicated that about N$150 000 was generated through the sale of moringa products.
The moringa tree is classified as a ''super food''. The tree grows naturally in some parts of Namibia, and parts of the plant are said to be safe for human consumption.
Max Musongo, the chief administrator of Komeho Namibia, told Nampa Wednesday the flowers which grow on the moringa tree are sold to an organisation known as the Senior Experts Association in Germany.
The oil in the seeds are sold locally for use in hair food, anti-aging gel and shampoo.
The leaves from the tree are dried and turned into a powder for human consumption as well as animal feed. The powder can be incorporated into bread and other food.
Aribeb said over 1500 people at Kaisosi have benefited from the nutritional value of the moringa tree since the inception of the project.
Komeho Namibia was formed in 2001 to contribute to Namibia''s national development objectives by promoting economic growth, local value addition, and job creation.
The organisation also promotes sustainable management of natural resources, capacity building, reduction of income inequality and alleviation of poverty in rural and urban areas.
NAMPA
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