ICCO Presents Study on Moringa in Myanmar
A study to improve the food & nutrition security of women and children in rural Myanmar.
ICCO, together with Kerk in Actie, published a study on Moringa in Myanmar. It explores the food and nutrition security situation of women and children in rural Myanmar. The study presents Moringa, an underutilized tree found throughout the country, as a potential crop that could improve the diets of women and children.
Promoting Moringa in household gardens
Promoting household gardens can make an important contribution to household food and nutrition security. Household gardens can take many forms, from a few plants in pots or containers to large garden plots in the vicinity of the house. In such gardens, families can grow fruit and vegetables for their own consumption, such as Moringa.
Moringa is a nutrient rich food which is very adequate for household gardens. It’s easy to cultivate and resistant to drought. The tree produces abundant leaves with high concentrations of proteins, vitamins and minerals. Introducing this crop to households can lead to improved diets of households, and thus women and children.
Undernutrition in Myanmar
Although the Ministry of Health in its “National Plan for Action on Food and Nutrition (2011-2015)”, suggests a downward trend in child malnutrition in Myanmar since 1991, undernutrition remains a very real problem. According to a World Bank study of 2014, about 37,5% of households in Myanmar live in poverty, with chronic undernutrition or stunting prevalence of 38,4% of rural children and 27,5% of urban children.
About the research
This publication has been initiated by ICCO and Kerk in Actie who are working in Myanmar. The research was conducted by Steven Lanjouw and included field work in five townships in the Ayeyarwady Delta, Bago East and West and Magway Regions. A series of Focus Group Discussions were held in selected villages in these regions, as well as interviews with key stakeholders in Yangon, alongside a review of existing literature, prior to and following the field-based activities.
Throughout April, ICCO Regional Office South-East Asia is doing an online mini-campaign on Moringa Oleifera (#MyanmarMoringaMonth #MMM). We want to explore the potential of Moringa to contribute to the livelihoods and health of women and children. Follow our social media accounts (link to FB, Twitter) to stay tuned.
