Growing with Moringa: Towards a green revolution

By Damayanthi Joan Lee

It all began in May 2016 when life took an unexpected turn. A family member faced the daunting diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer, given a mere six months to live. Rejecting conventional chemotherapy, she embarked on a journey through natural herbal remedies. Among these, the Moringa tree emerged—a silent hero in the realm of holistic healing. Intrigued, she incorporated Moringa powder into her regimen, and the results were astonishing.

In 2017, the intrigue turned into a deep dive into the wonders of the Moringa tree. A treasure trove of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, and minerals, Moringa became not just a supplement but a revelation. Its benefits ranged from being a nutrient-rich energy source to a solution for global food and malnutrition challenges. The journey uncovered its anti-aging properties, antioxidant richness, and role as a natural multi-vitamin medicine cabinet.

The connection strengthened, especially since Moringa flourished in the heart of Sri Lanka. The more research undertaken, the more evident it became that Moringa had the potential to transform lives, families, and communities.  Imagine a landscape where communities thrive on the principles of nourishment, vitality, and balance.

Becoming a Moringa Ambassador

Determined to spread the Moringa magic, a journey to California unfolded. Ten days of intensive training on a Moringa farm culminated in certification as a Moringa Ambassador from 'MORINGA FOR LIFE.' Armed with knowledge and passion, the missionto educate and cultivate Moringa in Sri Lanka took root.

Amidst challenges, 2018 witnessed the transformation of family land in Kanniya Trincomalee into a thriving Moringa haven. Armed with insights from California, 1000 Moringa trees took root, symbolizing the beginning of a green revolution.

The journey evolved into a communal effort. Collaborating with local war widows, women, children, and schools, the focus shifted to supplying, teaching, and empowering through home gardening with sustainability at its core. Passion turned into a commitment to educate, knowing that Moringa held the answers to many societal challenges.

The Moringa marvels go beyond a mere dietary supplement—they represent a holistic approach to well-being, infiltrating every aspect of our lives. Moringa leaves/leaf powder, seedlings, trees, seeds, oil and even Moringa-infused products like biscuits, bees honey, compost, livestock fodder and soap.

Moringa extends its influence across various domains: from utilizing its

seeds for water purification and nitrogen fixation to enriching soil, to its potential

applications in agriculture and industry. Uniquely, Moringa's non-genetically modified

nature positions it as a sustainable solution,  presenting an eco-friendly and versatile

resource that holds the key to addressing pressing challenges while maintaining the

integrity of our environment and agricultural practices.

As the journey progressed into 2020, the dream expanded. The aspiration became not

just personal wellness but a collective one. The vision? A Moringa tree in every home, a

beacon of health and well-being for all families.

In 2020-2021, a profound realization dawned upon us—we bear a significant

responsibility to safeguard and preserve our Earth, the very source that sustains us.

Recognizing the paramount importance of nurturing the land to grow abundant Moringa

trees for national restoration, we acknowledged the necessity of cultivating healthy,

living soil.

Confronted with challenges such as the physical loss of organic matter, exposure to toxic

chemicals, biological imbalances (including deceased microorganisms), structural issues,

and fluctuations in acidity or alkalinity, as well as the detrimental impact of pollutants

and excessive flooding—our soil fertility faced a notable decline, a process commonly

referred to as degradation.

To address these pressing concerns, I undertook a Soil Foundation Course led by Dr.

Elaine R. Ingham at the Soil Food Web School in the USA. The comprehensive curriculum covered various aspects, including Soil Biology, Bio Complete Composting, Compost Tea and Extracts, Worm Farming, Worm Tea, Microscopy Soil Testing, and an Introduction to Permaculture.

Applying the principles gleaned from this educational journey to the soil on my farm

yielded remarkable results. Within a year, we witnessed a tangible improvement in soil

biology, the establishment of a robust soil structure, and a transformative overhaul of

our entire farm. This journey stands as a testament to the profound impact that

conscious soil management can have on environmental restoration and sustainable

agriculture.

By 2021, the mission evolved into a call for nationwide programmes. The goal is simple yet profound: one Moringa tree in each home. The vision extends beyond personal health to a collective understanding of well-being, a fortified immune system, and a united front against any pandemic again that might challenge the nation.

The Moringa journey, born out of adversity, has grown into a movement—a movement

to nourish bodies, empower communities, and create a healthier, resilient nation, one

Moringa tree at a time.

January 2024

In the present day, the Moringa journey, sprouting from adversity, has blossomed into a

formidable movement—a movement dedicated to nurturing bodies, empowering

communities, and sculpting a more robust, healthier nation, all through the planting of

Moringa trees.

We are currently in the process of creating a Sinhala-language documentary on

Moringa, enriched with English and Tamil subtitles, tailored specifically for the Sri Lankan audience. Our primary goal is to educate and uplift various segments of the population,shedding light on the nutritional benefits of the Moringa tree.

The documentary will delve into essential topics such as cultivating the tree, utilizing its leaves, fruits, and flowers for food, as well as exploring its medical properties and the wide-rangingbenefits it offers to people, animals, the environment, and the atmosphere.

Furthermore, our documentary will critically examine past misconceptions and outdated

practices in Moringa cultivation. It will highlight recent global research findings and

innovative agricultural methods that have revolutionized food production by eliminating

the use of harmful chemicals, ensuring a safer and healthier approach for everyone.

A milestone was set in motion with the arrival of Mariko Gifford,

affectionately known as "Moringa Mamma," from California. With 25 years of expertise

in growing, nurturing, and healing the world through Moringa, Mariko’s presence

symbolised a turning point for Sri Lanka. Her first-ever visit to our island was not just a

meeting of minds but the culmination of a global effort to expand the Moringa

movement. From April 19th to 23rd, 2024, she led the inaugural in-person Moringa

training course at the Moringa Farm in Kanniya, Trincomalee – hands-on education for growers, advocates, and future ambassadors of Moringa.

Soon after Mariko’s arrival, I met with the documentary filmmaker, Wasantha Kulathunga. Together, we set the foundation for a Sinhala language documentary on Moringa. This documentary aims to educate Sri Lankans on the Moringa tree’s unparalleled nutritional, agricultural, and medicinal benefits. With English subtitles, this film will be a bridge to the global Moringa community, offering invaluable insights into cultivation, uses, and the holistic value of Moringa for people, animals, and the environment

On the road to National Moringa Day, I also met Minister of Indigenous Medicine, Rural and Ayurveda Hospital Development, and Community Health  Sisira Jayakody. His ministry became an indispensable partner in organizing and promoting the inaugural National Moringa Day on April 18th, 2024. Former Prime Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena also extended his unwavering support for National Moringa Day.

National Moringa Day

National Moringa Day was celebrated on April 18th with immense enthusiasm, marking

a significant moment in our journey. Across the island, communities united to plant

trees, share knowledge, and celebrate the miracle of Moringa. It was a day of education,

empowerment, and action. From classrooms to farmlands, the message was clear:

Moringa is a gift of nature that holds the potential to transform the health and

wellbeing of our nation.

In a serendipitous moment, I met with Mohana Gills, the celebrated author of

Moringalicious, a cookbook featuring 60 recipes infused with Moringa. Our discussion

revolved around the necessity of incorporating Moringa into everyday diets for wellness

and longevity. This meeting underscored the importance of making Moringa accessible

to a wider audience through food—transforming it from a supplement into a staple.

Looking ahead

As we move forward, our responsibility to promote Moringa continues to grow.

Governments, food companies, and healthcare professionals must prioritize research

into Moringa's medicinal applications. Furthermore, the food industry must embrace

Moringa’s potential, driving product innovation and value addition to meet the rising

global demand.

With the global Moringa market expected to reach USD 7.9 billion by 2025, Sri Lanka has a unique opportunity to become a leading supplier of organic, sustainably grown

Moringa. By planting millions of trees, we can not only sustain our population but also

export this miracle crop to the world—healing our land, nourishing our people, and

generating revenue in the process.

As I journey deeper into Moringa’s potential, I am more determined than ever to see it

thrive in Sri Lanka. The vision of a "Moringa Green Revolution" is not just a dream—it

feels like a true path toward restoring our nation's wellbeing and prosperity. I believe

that by cultivating and embracing Moringa, we can address urgent needs in health,

nutrition, environmental restoration, and even economic stability.

(The writer is a Moringa for Life LK Certified Moringa Ambassador, Grower, and Educator. Email - damayanthijlee@gmail.com)