Assessing Factors Affecting Moringa Production at North-western Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

Moringa is a highly valued plant that is mostly grown in arid and semi-arid areas which used for food, medication and industrial purposes. This study investigates the factors affecting Moringa plant cultivation among farmers in Northern Ethiopia. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to collect data from 54 farmers using questionnaire. Data were analysed using the descriptive statistics. The study identified the socioeconomic characteristics of the sampled respondents. Literate farmers were better in cultivation of Moringa plant than the illiterate one. It also reveals that land size were not the limiting factor for Moringa cultivation in the study area. This study shows that though farmers utilize Moringa, but still there is lack of knowledge on production, utilization, nutritional and economic importance of the plant. Of the total sampled 46.3% of the respondents used Moringa for human consumption. While compared to the proportion who cultivates Moringa it is relatively low. This low utilization of Moringa in the area attributed due to limited or no awareness on nutritional importance of Moringa and lack of knowledge on preparation of the Moringa utilization. The farmers mentioned that the main constraints that hinder Moringa cultivation is lack of awareness, lack of seedling availability, easily damageable by animals and attacked by termites. Based on the findings; this study recommends that the respective districts, other stakeholders and projects should take responsibilities in creating awareness regarding benefits and utilization process of the plant and offering Moringa seedlings to the society.