Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Dr Mariyam Mariya, has announced a significant initiative aimed at bolstering the economic prosperity of local farmers, with a focus on reviving the cultivation and utilisation of two historically and nutritionally rich crops - coconut palms and moringa.
In a social media post, Minister Dr Mariya highlighted the immense, yet underutilised, economic potential inherent in these traditional staples.
"Coconut palms and moringa are not just remnants of our ancestral heritage, they are potent sources of profit waiting to be tapped," she stated.
The Minister emphasised that these crops, once integral to the daily lives and sustenance of ancestors, have seen a decline in production and widespread use over time.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare is spearheading efforts to reintroduce these crops into the agricultural landscape, not only for their health benefits but also for their significant economic advantages, she explained.
Moringa, according to the Minister, in particular, is lauded for its rich content of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, yet knowledge about its widespread application appears to have diminished. The Ministry aims to rectify this by increasing awareness and promoting its diverse uses, she added.
Beyond nutritional value, the initiative seeks to unlock a stream of economic opportunities. From the versatile coconut palm, a wide array of products, including traditional foods and beverages, honey, fibers for bags and ropes, can be manufactured domestically. Similarly, moringa's potential extends to the production of tea, powder, oil, and even skincare products, creating new avenues for local entrepreneurship and employment, she explained.
To facilitate this revival, the Ministry has announced the recruitment of a consultant to spearhead coconut and moringa cultivation projects. Minister Dr Mariya expressed the government's commitment to promoting these products and fostering sustainable economic activities, asserting that this endeavor will leverage the invaluable skills, resources, and ingenuity inherited from ancestral practices to develop the agricultural sector.