Economic Potential Of Moringa Oleifera As A Commercial Tree Species And Its Suitability For Forest Management Intervention In Taungya Farming System

Abstract

This paper examined economic potentials of Moringa oleifera as commercial tree specie and its suitability for forest management intervention in Taungya farming system with a view to reviewing the objective in the Nigeria case study. Ibadan is the capital city of Oyo state, Nigeria and the second largest city in Africa. Results/ inferences drawn were primary data generated from FRIN research annual report and was used to rather establish quantitative relationships in an effort to provide a comparative account on the performance of Moringa oleifera in native and introduced ranges. Secondary data from two (2) research papers reporting rigorous scientific data on arable crop productivity in agroforestry combinations systems from Southwest (i.e. introduced range) and Kano state representing northern region (i.e. native range) of Nigeria were revaluated and analyzed. Findings suggest that growing and processing moringa leaves would require an illustrated guidebook that should contain the emphasis on cultivation; harvesting and transportation; processing the leaves; packaging and storage; and using Moringa leaves for nutrition. The standards, together with a code of good practices and an inspection guide, should be adhered to guaranty the good sanitary and nutritional status of the product especially for moringa leaf powder while emphasizes the need for more clinical studies to obtain acceptance of Moringa as a nutritional food supplement among the international scientific community. While prospects of farm forestry/ taungya potential to develop the Moringa oleifera processing and increase value addition to improve welfare of society is gradually assuming a significant position due to high land to man ratio factor. It is recommended that taungya-combined production of forestry and moringa tree /agricultural crops on forest lands be advocated. The taungya system always exhibited certain basic attributes and required some preconditions for its adoption. The preconditions, such as land hunger and low standard of living of the population, are clearly socioeconomic in nature. There is little economic validation of the farming systems described herein. Socioeconomic considerations should however be of high priority on any further research agenda. Evaluation of social acceptability of these practices by farmers should be a major consideration in the process of technology generation. Although numerous studies have been conducted on the Moringa oleifera (Miracle Tree), few address the social role of the resource, and its contribution to the reduction of the rural poverty. Therefore, a cursory look on the leading edge perspectives, science and application in terms of economic potentials of Moringa oleifera as a commercial tree species generally is encouraged for further research studies in Nigeria.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera; Economic production; farm forestry; taungya; Sub-Sahara Africa