China steps in to set up Murunga factory in Hambantota for exports
View(s):Sri Lanka is venturing into Murunga (drumstick) leaf processing field in a big way with Chinese assistance for the export market, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera disclosed to the Business Times.
A 20-strong Chinese business delegation led by Wang Yanguo, President and Secretary General of China International Chamber of Commerce for the Private Sector (CICCPS) has expressed their interest in setting up a massive Murunga leaf processing factory in Hambantota,
The Chinese delegation was in Sri Lanka recently to explore investment opportunities in the island.
They have agreed to set up this factory to produce nutritional food supplements and oils making use of Murunga leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds, and roots, Minister Amaraweera revealed.
The Agriculture Ministry plans to enhance Hambantota farmer incomes and livelihoods while creating a sustainable supply of pods and leaves for domestic consumption and value-added exports, he added.
With its countless applications from leaf powder to pod-pressed edible oil, the Murunga plant is valued by health authorities worldwide having rediscovered its nutrition and health benefits, Chinese delegation pointed out during their meeting with the Agriculture Minister.
Minister Amaraweera noted that he told the visiting delegation that the aim of the government is to encourage farmers countrywide to cultivate export crops with the support of countries with high technology such as China for the improvement of the agriculture sector.
Murunga is very popular in the European market for food supplements, a member of the Chinese delegation said adding that the plant’s dried leaves are marketed for a wide range of health benefits based on their high level of antioxidant activity and chemical composition.
This plant is being popularised as a miracle tree with the leaves and pods branded as ‘super-food’ globally, he disclosed.
Muringa is known to have two times the protein of plain yogurt, four times that of calcium of milk, 25 times the iron of spinach, four times the vitamin A of carrots and seven times the vitamin C of oranges, a Chinese expert explained at the meeting.
CICCPS is a comprehensive chamber of commerce specialised in facilitating overseas investment of Chinese private enterprises and approved by the State Council and Ministry of Civil Affairs of China.
The preservation of fruits, vegetables and other products produced by farmers in Sri Lanka, prevention of post-harvest wastage, provision of cold storage facilities using modern technology for preserving vegetables and fruits, production of small and medium size agricultural machineries and creating opportunities for the production of organic fertilisers were among areas discussed at the meeting.