Moringa Project for Tijuana, MexicoWednesday, June 10, 2020 |
By Raising Nutrition – Founder Mariko Davis Gifford Introduction Moringa is well established as a plant with the highest nutritional value of any plant yet tested. There is already an established promotional program in Mexico for farmers to grow Moringa. Due to the delicate nature of the Moringa leaf, the harvest and processing procedures are very specific. Industry methods have proven to produce contaminated product. The current market is heavily populated with Moringa that has not been harvested or processed to produce Moringa fit for human consumption. As an on-going concern, I have made all of my methods available for others, especially competitors, so that we all may have quality Moringa. Moringa is used by many with compromised health and as a major food source for survival which amplifies this concern. Over the years, I have trained and facilitated many Moringa projects around the world. Due to the existing climate of competition rather than cooperation, there have been many who would not bridge this issue and have continued on with limited or partial information. It is our goal to establish a neutral cooperation/coalition whereby Moringa workers can be fully trained in the necessary methods that produce clean Moringa of the highest quality. Recognizing the wisdom of local traditional farming methods, I will seek this wisdom and employ low technology, low impact design with the highest adaptability between remote rural locations to the inner city, urban farm. Rural area support will also include soil and water test kit development. Currently availability water technology will be used. I have already begun to work with a Moringa Growing Cooperative in San Miguel De Allende, Mexico. I have a request for additional projects involving 900 farmers in southern Mexico, as well as a request for a commercial project in Mexicali. Besides the multitude of business and projects in the US and Canada, I have consulted on Moringa projects in many countries including, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Chile, Vietnam, Philippines, Jamaica, Haiti, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Congo. From my experience so far, there is a lot of training needed in the harvest and processing phases of having a successful Moringa business. Certain areas need specialized instructions because of climate issues. Establishing Moringa Farms with specific training will produce the highest quality of Moringa available on the market today. Establishing markets for Moringa as a fresh food will be streamlined by utilizing up-to-date educational avenues currently in place within the Mexican government levels. A Moringa Processing Facility provides a model as well as a location for the correct processing of Moringa essential for producing premium Moringa. Moringa Nursery activities compliment the Moringa Farm and provide an additional source of income in the sale of Moringa Seedlings and Moringa Trees. It also establishes the Moringa Farmer as the expert in growing Moringa to provide the expertise for the consumer. A common problem for farmers is to fully utilize their harvest. To ensure the full use of product/labor output, all overage will be made into Moringa Leaf Powder for use in Catastrophe Relief. To achieve the goal of producing the highest quality Moringa products, Microbiology Lab testing is essential. A training program that leads to certification is necessary. I will develop a Moringa Protocol with the establishment of a certification arm – Moringa Quality Assurance Certificate. Moringa Corps will be trained in all facets of Moringa production, harvest, processing, and marketing. Raising Nutrition for Mexico is the prime directive for this Moringa Project. The Mexican population will be the primary beneficiaries of this Moringa production and its products. Additional and primary uses of Moringa also include treatment for a host of ailments such as diabetes, high blood pressure, liver function, inflammation illness, cancer, Aids, HIV and many more. Gathering recipes and producing a Moringa Recipe Book and cooking classes and utilizing local herbs and spices will enable easy transition into the daily fare. Secondary to Raising Nutrition for the Mexican population is developing an inclusive Business Plan for economic growth and development. Establishing a Moringa Protocol for Mexico will be the model for a world wide Moringa Protocol. Tijuana’s Moringa Training Facility and Certification Program will be the model for Mexico and subsequently, a world-wide enterprise focusing on the tropical belt, the area where Moringa grows best and the area of the highest levels of mal – nutrition as established by the World Health Organization. All the parts of Moringa are beneficial. Besides the high nutritional value of the leaf, other parts of the tree can also be used as medicines. These will be combined into a Survival Kit for Catastrophe Relief, to be warehoused and drop-shipped where needed. Moringa has a natural growth hormone and can be used to promote the growth of itself and other vegetation. A foliar spray increases agricultural yield by up to 35% using standard commercial applications for small to large commercial size parcels. As an animal fodder, it increases weight gain for meat production up to 23% and 43 – 65% for increased milk production. This method simultaneously regenerates the soil and does not contaminate water supplies reducing secondary agricultural costs while securing continuous health of human, animals, water and soil. Moringa is a tropical tree. Because Central and Southern Mexico have the proper growing climates, there are many locations that are suitable for year round Moringa Production. With large enough parcels in production, northern Mexico can produce quantities to support local demands; however, Moringa will be dormant during the winter months in this region. Central and southern Mexico can be employed for commercial quantities that can supply Mexico at large as well as US and international demands. NAFTA regulations can come into play in the movement of Moringa. Moringa requires NO regulation by the USDA and so is ideal for cross border commerce. Phase I Moringa Farms Timeline: Immediate Preparation of soils, ordering of equipment and supplies for the growing season is upon us Securing land and existing farms for set up of this endeavor Spring is the preparation time for all growing endeavors with Moringa. Soil preparation: Depending on the location, additional measures must be employed to ensure a successful harvest. Description of Activities: Assessment of land, perimeters, water supply/ irrigation/pathogen testing Assessment of facility for harvest logistics, equipment and transportation Assessment of pest management, bio remediation/soil testing/amendments Aerating soil and layout of fields/planting of fields, water retention plan Development of a foliar spray for use in agriculture Development of animal fodder for use in animal husbandry *Harvest: Stage One - Fresh Moringa Products: Wholesale and Retail Product Development Assessment of harvest logistics, equipment/supplies Assessment of wholesale/retail market sourcing Establish fulfillment strategy and implementation Moringa Cooking Classes: Using local fare, teach classes on how to use and prepare Moringa fresh or dried. Gather recipes to be included in a Moringa Recipe Cook Book *Harvest – Stage Two - Dried Moringa Products: Wholesale, Retail Product Development Assessment of harvest logistics, equipment/supplies Assessment of wholesale/retail market sourcing Establish fulfillment strategy and implementation Moringa Cooking Classes: Using local fare, teach classes on how to use and prepare Moringa fresh or dried. Gather recipes to be included in a Moringa Recipe Cook Book *There are two distinct Moringa products. One is Fresh Moringa, the other Moringa Leaf Powder. Stage One is for Fresh Moringa Production. Stage Two includes Stage one and continues through the drying process to create the Moringa Leaf Powder. Phase II Moringa Nursery Timeline: Immediate Preparation of soils, ordering of equipment and supplies for the growing season is upon us Securing land/existing farms for set up of this enterprise. Spring is the preparation time for all growing endeavors with Moringa. Soil preparation: Depending on the location, additional measures must be employed to ensure a successful growth Description of Activities: Establish a Moringa Nursery for nursery stock as well as Moringa trees and seedlings for domestic sale 3 stage plantings – 1st year seedlings, 2nd year seedlings, 3rd year trees, nursery stock, cuttings Calculate supplies: soil, soil amendments, containers, water catchments Create nursery stock Develop and Teach ‘How to Grow Moringa’ Class Central location or decentralized located at each Moringa Farm Phase III Moringa Processing Facility Timeline: Immediate Depending on the facility acquired, there may be preparation/repairs/construction needed to ensure the security, sanitation and proximity to the farms. Location is primary as Moringa heats up once it is harvested and must be processed immediately to ensure quality and expedition of the drying process. For the purposes of this proposal, the facility is presumed to be already constructed. In the case that the facility must be constructed additional appendix can be supplied at a later date. Simultaneous with the planting schedule, the facility must be established and in ready condition for the precise coordination of harvest-to-process timing. This is the exact point where most facilities fail. Moringa must be processed immediately after harvest and fully dried within the same day. Description of Activities: Assessment of structure, security, square footage for each work station Assessment of equipment/supplies/materials Assessment of technology/phone/internet access Fresh Moringa Products Clean and sanitize work stations Layout procedures: Wash station, rinse station, drying station, packing/shipping/delivery Dry Moringa Products Layout procedures: Wash station, rinse station, dry station, dry heat room, monitor schedule, dryness evaluation, dry storage, grinding to powder Microbiology Lab Testing: Standard plate count, coli forms, e-coli, salmonella, fungus and mold Evaluate lab tests for upgrades to the procedure Certificate of Analysis available for retail or wholesale needs Phase IV Moringa Product Development – Business Plan Timeline: In coordination with all production Description of Activities Write a business plan with 1 year, 5 year and 10 year markers Assessment of local fresh foods and herb use/pricing Market Research on stores for local delivery Market Research for country wide knowledge and current uses Assessment of current transportation routes for wider distribution sourcing Fresh Moringa as whole food and as an Ingredient: Branding – Hecho en Mexico Market research for local products pairing with Fresh Moringa Branding – Hecho en Mexico Assessment of Superfoods Markets/Supplements with Moringa Leaf Powder Research as stand alone product/ ingredient Assessment and implementation of distribution networks Distribution of Moringa Recipe Book Phase V Moringa Quality Assurance Certification Timeline: Immediate In coordination with the completion of the Moringa harvest for certification of participating Moringa Farmers Description of Activities: Develop Training Curriculum for Moringa Quality Assurance How to Grow Premium Moringa Users Manual Employ site specific Soil Sciences Foundation for Agriculture Practices, Pest Management, Sanitation Practices, Harvest Procedures, Drying Process, Market Entry Annual Certification Moringa Quality Inspectors – Moringa Corps Scheduled and Random inspections of Certified Farmers Organic Certification Model – Interface with Mexican Organic Certification Agencies as well as International Organic Certification Agencies. United States and International Markets recognize these standards so entry into these markets will be seamless. Import/Export requirements will determine the sequence of Market Strategies Phase VI Catastrophe Relief Timeline: Tied to Moringa Leaf Powder Production Overage As Moringa Farmers have overage of Moringa Leaf Powder and In accordance with International Red Cross protocol, develop and deliver Nutrient Dense Foods and medical supplies to catastrophe areas Description of Activities: Produce Moringa Relief Kit: 1. Moringa Nutritional Pack: Moringa Leaf Powder and condensed foods of delicious and highly nutritious packs easy access packaging to be warehoused for delivery to catastrophe areas when and where needed
Moringa Seed Oil – Antibacterial - Wounds and skin issues, Moringa Seed Cake - Water clarifying, Moringa Spagyric – Immune Defense, Antiseptic Summary Summary of Work Training for self reliance in Premium Moringa Production Raising Nutrition for the general population with the target areas of child bearing men and women, children, pregnant and nursing mothers. Raising Nutrition for soil health, water, domestic cattle and livestock Raising Nutrition for areas hit by catastrophic event Raising Nutrition for the tropics by pilot Moringa project Detailed budget and further descriptions and explanations available upon request What’s Needed Farms/Land Already established farms would expedite the project. Land would require additional labor and equipment for clearing, securing, tilling etc. Facility/Offices Structure for housing the processing, drying and packing. Offices for conducting business, training classes, branding Commercial Kitchen- for processing foods both fresh and dried Transportation Flatbed trucks, panel trucks for moving product between farms to processing and delivery. Equipment Farm equipment for working the land, specific to each parcel as needed, specific machinery for processing, drying, packing and shipping. Funding: Depending on what can be garnered, funds would be needed for any or all phases Once initiated, each area will be evaluated and lists generated for: Personnel, Operations, Vehicles, Equipment and Materials for seeking additional funding and resource needs Primary Employment and Income Sources: Moringa Farms, Moringa Processing Facility, Moringa Nursery, Fresh Moringa Foods, Dried Moringa Leaf Powder, Moringa Recipe Book Publishing, Moringa Cooking Classes, Nutrition Awareness Classes – Child bearing age Men and Women, Agricultural Products, Catastrophe Relief Products. Areas of Employment: Agriculture, Construction, Business Management, Teachers, IT, Engineering, Publishing, Nutritional Consultants, Soil Science, Agri-Tourism, Marketing and Advertising, Product Development, Branding, Herbalists, Humanitarian Relief, Internships for Students Secondary Employment and Income Sources: Commissary Kitchen Rental, Drying Facility Rental, Branding Hecho en Mexico umbrella for other products, Branding Hecho en TJ, Agri-tourism – Moringa Convention, Professional Support Partnering with: Soil Scientists, Engineers, Traditional Farmers, IT Specialists, Humanitarian Community Humanitarian Support Partnering with: Dr. Weston Price –Price Pottenger Nutrition Foundation, Buckminster Fuller Institute, Heroes Like Us, Others to be identified. Strategies for System Design: Work within the already existing climate of humanitarian work in Mexico. Research current design system in placing this project. When no system is in place, design a Moringa Design System Pilot
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- Earlier Event: May 14 Moringa For Life Growers Certification
- Later Event: June 10 What Is Permaculture?