Moringa oleifera: A Sustainable Intervention To Address Malnutrition and Poverty in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)- Pakistan

Abstract

Rural inhabitants' lifestyles and health are greatly impacted by the recent growth in modernity, urbanization, and commercial farming as well as the loss of plant resources. Food should be consumed in the era of incredible multi-functionality and objectivity not only to energize and feed us but also to fight against many illnesses and diseases and boost our immune systems. In rising nations like Pakistan, such a strategy is absolutely needed. Moringa oleifera is a very useful and versatile tree popularly named Suhanjna in Punjab, Pakistan. The Moringa tree is cultivated predominantly in semi-arid, subtropical, and tropical environments. The M. oleifera belongs to the family Moringaceae is native to the sub-Himalayan areas of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, and is grown internationally. In Pakistan, it is found commonly in southern Punjab and it is also considered the origin of Moringa plant. This plant has the potential to thrive in any kind of soil and can endure extremely hard conditions. Moringa has remarkable nutritive value and it is a rich source of protein, vitamins (A & C), and micro-nutrients (Ca, K, Fe, etc.) that are completely absent in the daily diet of the majority of the rural parts of KPK. Since 1998, the WHO has pushed Moringa as an alternative to imported food supplies to cure malnutrition in disadvantaged nations. Research has indicated that the dried leaves of Moringa contain 7 times more vitamin C than orange, 10 times vitamin A than carrot, 17 times Ca than milk, 15 times K than bananas, 25 times Fe than spinach and 9 times proteins than yogurt. In addition, it includes vitamin B-Complex, chrome, Cu, Mg, Mn, P and Zn. Its leaves are a great source of protein and may be exploited to combat malnutrition. In KPK, Moringa planting and distribution have significant potential to promote farm income, improve nutrition, build up food security, give a livelihood for rural people, stimulate rural development, and assist sustainable land care.