Northland Inc

Market Opportunity Study in Northland for Moringa

Moringa, often referred to as "The Miracle Tree" or "Nebedaye" (meaning "the one which never dies" in many African languages), has a rich history dating back to ancient times. Discovered in northern India around 2000 BC, Moringa oleifera quickly gained recognition for its medicinal properties and nutritional value.
In ancient India, Moringa extract was given to Mauryan warriors before battle, believed to enhance their strength, energy, and resilience. The plant's benefits were also recognised by aristocracy and royal families, who used it to promote mental alertness and healthy skin. Moringa became an integral part of traditional Ayurvedic medicine, with claims that it could prevent 300 diseases.
The plant's popularity spread beyond India:
• Ancient Egyptians valued Moringa oil as a skin protectant, similar to sunscreen.
• Greeks discovered additional health benefits and introduced Moringa to the Romans, who then spread it throughout their empire.
• In ancient Egypt, Moringa was used in perfume manufacture and complex Pharaonic medicine practices.
Moringa's global journey continued through the British Empire, reaching Jamaica by 1817, where its oil was introduced for culinary purposes. Today, Moringa is cultivated in various tropical and subtropical regions, including the Philippines, India, China, South Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Known for its versatility and resilience, Moringa thrives in arid and semiarid environments, making it a valuable resource for combating malnutrition in developing countries. Its rapid growth, drought resistance, and ability to adapt to various climates have contributed to its widespread cultivation and use in traditional medicine, food, and water purification.

The Opportunity
The opportunity to develop a moringa industry in Northland represents a significant potential for economic diversification and growth in the region, aligning closely with Northland Inc's Tuputupu Grow Northland strategy.
For Northland, if moringa were to be successfully commercialised, this would provide existing landowners with the ability to improve productivity and diversify their farming systems. On a broader scale, this opportunity has the potential to positively diversify the horticultural sector in Northland, create opportunities for investment in processing facilities, and generate greater employment both directly and in associated service sectors.