KITCHARAO, Agusan del Norte—Women in barangay Libas here are growing moringa, known locally as malunggay. They will be selling the leaves of the miracle tree once they reach commercial production. This endeavor would make them economically empowered in their homes, as well as in their own community, a thrust of the Oxfam Mindanao Program.
These members of Libas Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (LFMPC), a member of the nongovernmental organization (NGO) Agri-Aqua Development Coalition in Mindanao, have embarked on moringa production to meet the growing demand of the leaves both globally and locally for the production of fortified foods, personal care and pharmaceuticals, specific to herbal-based medicines and supplements.
Oxfam, an international NGO working in the country since 1988, saw the viability of the LFMPC’s project and said it will be there to support the growth of this economic endeavor.
“We can’t say really as to when our support for the small farmers, specifically the women, will end. But we try our best and see positive results in the future,” said Barbara Stockings, Oxfam Great Britain chief executive officer.
Stockings and John Sayer of Oxfam Hong Kong were recently in the country to personally see the progress of Oxfam’s humanitarian projects in Mindanao, particularly in the Caraga region.
As an assurance that there will be a continuous supply of quality seedlings of moringa and achieve a marketable scale of production, the LFMPC women have established their own nursery and attend to the tissue culture.
The nursery will enable the 120 women, who were selected from 15 villages, to generate personal income as caretakers. Their production will be provided to the farmers who will plant moringa in the identified 32 hectares on the first five years.
“This is a big help for us women in our community. [This is] an opportunity for us to augment our respective family income,” said Thelma Moldez of the AADC rural development club in the dialect.
The moringa livelihood project aims to intensify market development with the private sector and eventually draw in government support for the growth of this sunrise industry, which was identified as a more women inclusive and achieve economic leadership.
Oxfam also visited in Caraga region another moringa plantation project in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte; and a rubber tree plantation in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, where the visiting officials met with the provincial local government, headed by Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza, who briefed them on the situation of the abaca industry in the province involving poor farmers.
Aside from its humanitarian support to the poor sector in the country and women issues, Oxfam is also active on matters of climate change.
