THRISSUR: Moringa, the herbal plant with medicinal properties and nutrient-rich content, was not a popular dish in the past. However, as natural food items with medicinal properties found pride of place on Malaylis’ platter, moringa, which was largely ignored by many, is in great demand now.
And reaping rich dividends from this new-found love for medicinal and nutrient-rich food, farmers who used to cultivate traditional vegetables are turning to the cultivation of medicinal plants on a largescale. The neighbourhood groups in Pazhayannur block have ventured into moringa farming. A pilot project that was launched by selecting 100 women for moringa farming is now spread to 600 clusters in Pazhayannur block panchayat.
It was in 2024-25 that the panchayat selected 100 women interested in farming to take up moringa cultivation. The project was named ‘Moringa Cluster’. The farming was then launched on 3.5 acres of land spread across three wards of the block panchayat. Adequate training in moringa farming was provided for the farmers by Kudumbasree itself.
“A total of 120 saplings were planted on 1 acre of land. We were given training to nurture the saplings and the use of fertilisers. Now, I am able to meet my family’s expenses with a steady income,” shared Sujatha K Santhosh, a farmer in the Moringa Cluster.
The procured moringa leaves are being sold to Ambika Soman, who runs a company that makes value-added products from the leaves, including moringa powder, moringa tablets etc. Presently, each member of Moringa Cluster gets an average income of Rs 16,000 per month from moringa leaves.
Inspired by the success of the women farmers, the project has been extended after roping in 600 neighbourhood groups. These neighbourhood groups will also come up with products like moringa puttu powder, iddalipodi etc for the Onam season. Reshmi Sundaran, chairperson of Pazhayannur CDS, said that the success scripted through moringa farming here would be a model for other Kudumbashree groups to take up similar initiatives.