Help End World Hunger One Family At A Time

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Feature Stories

Food Security

Notes on Moringa
The Miracle Tree

Five Special
Populations

Food Security for Special Populations

by Tomi Jill Folk and Hank Bruce

The faces of hunger

We’ve all seen the pictures of starving children, the bloated bellies and limbs too weak to move, eyes unable to focus. Hunger is real, and it kills. According to UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children report 2002 "in developing countries 91 children out of every 1000 die before their fifth birthday." They further state in their 2001 report that "Each day in the developing world, 30,100 children die from mostly preventable and treatable causes such as diarrhea, acute respiratory infections or malaria. Malnutrition is associated with over half of these deaths." Even when the victims survive, malnutrition continues to be the incubator for chronic, debilitating conditions. Malnutrition causes permanent mental and physical damage, including blindness. But, hunger doesn’t have to be a part of the culture, malnutrition doesn’t have to dictate the future for generations yet unborn.

Bread for the World states that "Over 800 million people in the world are malnourished--777 million of them are from the developing world and 177 million of them are children." In some of the poorest nations, (Haiti, North Korea & Ethiopia are only a few examples), malnutrition is the norm for 70 to 80% of the population. Between 25,000 and 35,000 people die each day from the effects of hunger and hunger related diseases. Many of these victims are in five special population groups. These groups have specific problems that will require specific solutions. It’s easy to assume that improved agricultural practices, better seed, more fertilizers and farm equipment can generate more available food. However, the fact is that most of those most affected by the lack of a sufficient and healthy diet are in no position to take advantage of bigger and better farms somewhere else in the world, and lack the resources to farm for themselves.

causes & cures

We have made great strides in developing agriculture programs that promote agro-industry and the use of super-productive, sometimes genetically modified, foods. Unfortunately, this is only one piece of the hunger puzzle. We also have serious political, social and religious issues that dictate that the solutions in many regions of the world cannot be a reflection of the American or European model. Climate, environment, population pressure, condition of the land resources and the availability of water also influence the solution. There is no single answer to global hunger. The key is to approach each region, each population, each causative factor with its own set of solutions. It takes cooperation form all to solve these problems, but we must include the victims of hunger in the solutions. There is a vast storehouse of untapped knowledge, underdeveloped crops (see Global Gardening by the authors of this article), and thousands of years of tradition that can, and must, be a part of the solutions.

While there is no single solution there are several constants that can, and should, be a part of the active regional efforts at hunger abatement and food security. The culture of the region must be considered. We can’t change each culture into a reflection of that mythical American small town, Mayberry, RFD. Where there have been thousands of years of religious and cultural practices that we may view as backward, we cannot force change in a decade or two. Any change must come from within the communities, within the population itself. Culture isn’t a static entity, it is ever changing, ever growing as it responds to new conditions and new ideas.

It is imperative that we draw on the indigenous knowledge, the traditional wisdom of the people. This is the starting point, and often the keys to success with any food security program lie within the traditions of the people. Not only is there much we can learn from this storehouse of knowledge, there is a certain empowerment that can come from the sharing of this information resource by the population. They are not only the vehicle for their own food security, but can provide elements of wisdom that can help other populations as well. This knowledge may be in the form of crops and food resources, low-tech techniques that work, and an understanding of the climate, seasons, weather and integrated use of other resources for income and survival.

Often, out of the desperation caused by famine, drought, conflict or disaster, the environment is ravished, the resources depleted. Sometimes this is the result of greed and thoughtlessness. Often the available agricultural land is devoted to growing non-food crops such as coffee, stock for the cut flower, fiber and drug industries. Often the arable land has been used and abused by colonial powers, both political and economic, resulting in desertification, dust bowls and depleted water resources.

Sometimes the problem of hunger is the direct, or indirect, result of uncontrolled population growth. When the population of an area exceeds the food potential, and there are insufficient resources to purchase or trade for the importation of food, hunger and malnutrition are the inevitable result. One of the greatest population growth controls is the education of the public, particularly the women. A State of the World Population report by UNFPA states "Educated girls usually have smaller families when they grow up." Yet, according to UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children 2002 "more than 100 million children in developing countries are without access to basic education, and 60 million of them are girls."

The overall solution to global hunger involves many factors: environmental stewardship, universal education, gender equality and international cooperation. In the preliminary research done by Hunger Grow Away it seems that there is another important factor to be considered. Traditionally, hunger is attacked on two fronts. The first is the immediate emergency food relief efforts that save lives every day. This is the only effective way to confront hunger in times of crisis. However, the elimination of hunger depends not on emergency food relief, but on food security, a condition where the people can reasonably expect food to be available on a continuing basis. Food security is the goal of a multitude of organizations, agencies, industries, governments and religious entities. Their efforts are making a difference in many parts of the world. But, for some of the most desperate, poorest land ownership is strictly limited or what land there is available may be polluted or contaminated. There may be a serious shortage of water, due to drought, desertification or pollution.. The victims of malnutrition may be physically disabled, children or the elderly; they may be ravaged by AIDS or other diseases. For these people a self-sufficient and food secure future is questionable at best unless we make a special investment in their survival and their future. We have developed a micro-intensive secure gardening system for these people. This can also serve as a micro-nursery for the propagation of fruit trees, agro-forestry and erosion control crops.

Notes on Moringa: The Miracle Tree

by Hank Bruce & Tomi Jill Folk

Moringa. Moringa oleifera and M. stenopetala

Also known as Horseradish tree or drumstick tree, or Sahjan Native to India, the Arabian peninsula and parts of Africa A rugged tree reaching 12 m (35-40 ft)

This is a miracle tree for many areas. Not only is it fast growing, drought tolerant and pest resistant, it is the ultimate in a multi-purpose plant. This is one of the keys to ending hunger, malnutrition and starvation in many parts of the world. Just in case you were curious, they call it horseradish tree because the roots actually taste like that popular European seasoning.

The leaves are delicious and nutritious, with an almost spicy taste. Many insist that stenopetala is better flavored, but I suspect that this is a matter of personal opinion. These leaves can be harvested daily from a few trees growing at the dooryard or along the garden. Because this foliage is so high in protein and vitamins A & C it’s literally a life saver. They are sometimes eaten raw as a salad green but are also popular used as a potherb or added to soups, stews and other dishes. These leaves can be dried and powdered for easy storage. The powder can be added to almost any food to greatly enhance the nutritional value of a meal. The flowers are eaten raw or cooked and the bees make a delightful honey from the them. The flower are delicious batter fried. The immature seed pods are cooked and eaten like green beans or used in a stir fry. These diced pods can also be roasted, boiled or steamed as you would okra. The inner lining of the seed pod is edible and can be used much like pasta or noodles. The dried seeds can also be used as we would beans.

The winged seeds are used to purify dirty water. Along the Nile valley it is known as shagra al rauwaq, or "tree for purifying." The seeds are crushed into small pieces and wrapped in a cloth and tied. This is then placed in the bucket or container of water where the seeds attract and absorb the impurities and pollutants, leaving potable water. In some parts of Africa water filtration systems have been established using crushed moringa seed and sand in discarded 55 gal drums.

The seeds contain about 30-35% edible vegetable oil. This sweet tasting oil can be extracted in a simple press and used for cooking, lubrication, soaps and cosmetic creams. Because the oil burns without smoke it’s also ideal for lamps. This oil doesn’t turn rancid and can be used in food preservation. It produces a heavy crop of these seeds, sometimes amounting to 200 to 300 pounds per mature tree, seed production starts at an early age and continues over a long season. This might be a source of home grown energy for some of the poorest peoples in the world.

The bark produces a sappy gum that is used in cooking and food preservation as well as a whole list of medicinal applications from stomach ache to the common cold. It also serves as a diuretic. This is an extremely fast growing tree (it may reach 10 to 15' in the first year) that produces a lightweight wood acceptable as a fuel for stoves. If left to grow several years it becomes an useful lightweight lumber source.

Growing trees can serve as poles for beans, yams, vanilla, pepper and other vining crops, a wind break against the harsh semi-desert breezes, shade to help preserve moisture in the gardens and fields. Leaf stems and seed pods can be used as fodder for the livestock. Moringa can be used as living fences, privacy screens and erosion control. The dried pods and fallen leaves also make a valuable surface mulch on its way to becoming compost.

Growing Moringa

The moringa is propagated from seeds or cuttings and grows quickly in almost any well drained soil. They cannot survive waterlogged sites, however. While it’s drought tolerant, as a defense against a prolonged dry spell it will drop its leaves. It willingly accepts an annual rainfall from 20 to 140 inches (500 to 3500 mm).

In our trials we found that moringa seeds planted in the CelluGro system grew to transplantable size in only two months and had such a vigorous root system that there was virtually no loss from transplant shock. The Abundant Harvest garden is ideal as a nursery for moringa and a number of other cash crops. These gardens can augment a family income as they harvest some of the leaves for their own table.

It will freeze back to the ground in a severe frost but if well mulched will come back from the roots without a problem. It grows best in full sun but will tolerate light shade. In shady situations it produces fewer leaves and grows with far less vigor. There seem to be few pest and disease problems other than root rot in soggy soils. A periodic application of a balanced fertilizer encourages growth but in many areas of the world dishwater or waste water provides all the nutrients needed.

This is an easy to grow plant and has the tremendous potential to save lives in regions of the world racked by poverty, drought, disease and starvation. For more information on how you can be a part of a program to promote the use of these trees throughout those parts of the world where they are most needed, please contact Hunger Grow Away at the above address.

Seeds are available from ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization), 17391 Durrance Road, North Fort Myers, FL 33917-2239, or by phone at (941)543-3246, or via their web site www.echonet.org

If you have question or would like more information on moringa and Hunger Grow Away, contact Tomi Jill Folk at tfolk@hungergrowaway.com

Thank you for caring,

Tomi Jill Folk, (M.Div), President, Hunger Grow Away, tfolk@hungergrowaway.com

Hank Bruce, Vice President & Program Director, Hunger Grow Away, hbruce@hungergrowaway.com 

  

Five special populations that we feel may be able to benefit the most from the Abundant Harvest Garden system
 

1. Orphans. The orphan population grows each day as more children become the living victims of war, conflict and violence. AIDS produces special populations of orphans, many of which are doomed to become more than secondary victims to this epidemic and pandemic disease. It is estimated that over 20 million children in Africa will be orphaned by the AIDS epidemic by 2010, and some estimates are as high as 28 million. Today we have over 10 million orphans struggling for survival. Many of these children become the street children, the victims of forced labor and sexual abuse. Even those who are fortunate enough to be taken in by family or find their way to overcrowded and under funded orphanages, life is difficult, malnutrition the norm and the future bleak. Elderly grandparents are powerless to do more than watch as their grandchildren, orphaned by AIDS, die one by one from the chronic malnutrition. Many other children are landmine victims who may be blind and maimed, with missing limbs and a limited future. Our children are not a disposable commodity.

With the Abundant Harvest Garden these children, and their caretakers can supply at least a portion of the food resources, and the positive benefit of learning gardening techniques, a valuable life skill. If we could establish these Abundant Harvest Gardens in orphanages, schools or with supporting families a measure of food security could be achieved, income can be generated, perhaps micro enterprise initiated. Wouldn’t it be great to establish moringa nurseries at the sites where these unfortunate children could provide not only for their own table, but improve the welfare of the entire community. The AHG is a vital first step for these children, a means whereby they can grow their own future. If it takes $15.00 to feed one child a minimal diet for one month, for what it would cost to feed four children for less than four months, they have a garden that will produce fresh produce continuously for years.

2. Refugee populations, and internally displaced persons, face a critical and chronic food shortage, usually without the land resources to cultivate their way out of hunger. Currently, there are more than 22 million refugees struggling to survive under extreme and dehumanizing conditions. These are homeless, landless people often living as unwelcome guests, without possessions, rights or resources. They continue to be victims of violence, rape, disease and hopelessness. Many of the millions of refugees all over the world depend on expensive emergency food relief that is of the impossible to deliver when weather conditions make it most needed. The Abundant Harvest Garden system can be provided for these families so that they can grow fresh produce, perhaps even propagate trees or other crops for sale or trade. Because the garden is small it can be easily accommodated and protected. Even where water resources are limited it can be highly productive. If the cost of emergency food relief for a refugee family averages between $35 and $50 dollars per month, then that amount spent on four months of relief, if spent on an Abundant Harvest Garden, the family would have a continuous harvest and a garden that they could even pack up and take with them when they relocate or return to their home. While refugee camps are usually located on the most marginal land, these gardens could be used to propagate environmentally friendly food resources that could be planted around the camps, making a permanent improvement to the land.

3. The urban poor. These are the residents of the urban areas, many of whom have been forced from their rural and village homes or disenfranchised by commerce, politics or natural disaster. By 2005 over half of the world’s population will be living in urban conditions. By 2010 there will be over 20 cities with populations over 10 million. Even most of the small cities in developing countries lack the infrastructure to provide food, water, sewage and shelter for their poorest residents. These are the slum dwellers living in the garbage dumps, in cardboard shacks, the homeless, the street children, the desperate poor. Because, even if there is sufficient food produced on the farms it doesn’t reach the urban poor, their future is one where hunger will continue to be the uninvited guest at the dinner table. Malnutrition will strike the infants, killing many, while even those who survive will have limitations, both physical and mental, for the rest of their lives. People don’t have to live in hopelessness, drinking polluted water and living a marginal existence. The future doesn’t have to be an empty table. Tomorrow doesn’t have to be dominated by disease and a lack of education for these, our urban poor. Food security isn’t a problem standing alone, it is a part of an overall set of conditions that includes education, health services and a family based income. Hunger is only one symptom of poverty, but when we eliminate hunger we can see a way out of the poverty cycle.

The Abundant Harvest Garden system can provide the foundation for a balanced diet, save infants and children from a doomed existence, provide some green space, even if it is on a rooftop. We can create a garden plot that is safe to use on polluted land, provide fresh produce in a space four foot by four foot and encourage micro-enterprise at the same time. All it takes is some confidence in people and a small investment in a family’s future. These gardens could be established as a micro-loan program. The household can grow their own food, cultivate some to sell, perhaps grow other marketable items. The Abundant Harvest Garden won’t be the final answer, but it can be an effective starting point.

4. The elderly and disabled poor. In times of famine, drought and chronic food insecurity it is the children and the elderly that die first. In both urban and rural settings there are populations of the elderly, frail and physically limited who face life shortening effects of malnutrition because there aren’t resources to provide for them. There is also an ever-increasing population of people with physical limitations due to landmines, mutilations and the effects of war and conflict. Often these people survive only through begging or the generosity of over taxed charities. With the use of the Abundant Harvest Garden system, easily raised to a height that can accommodate the limitations of these elderly and disabled poor, these individuals can cultivate a healthy diet, perhaps market a surplus and cultivate plants for sale as an income. The elderly and disabled can, with these adaptable gardens move from a drain on the social resources of a community to an active and productive part of the economy. With a minor investment we can effect major change.

5. Island populations present a special problem because there is no where to go once the existing soil is depleted, or the population expands to exceed the demand. Many of the seemingly idyllic islands of the world are home to desperately poor, seriously malnourished native populations. The use of these Abundant Harvest Gardens can be a means to provide a healthy and varied diet while promoting sound environmental practices where the resources are severely limited.

Our goal at Hunger Grow Away is to continue our research into ways that the most marginalized people, those most at risk from hunger, malnutrition and starvation can become self-sufficient, hopeful and viable partners in the quest for a sustainable future where food security is the norm for all. We are continuing research into arid lands applications, roof top cultivation and micro-nursery and family enterprise applications of the Abundant Harvest Garden system. We are also exploring ways to develop resources for the dissemination of information and the sharing of knowledge about such significant plants as moringa and a host of other arid lands plants that can have a significant positive impact on the environment while providing food security.

Hunger Grow Away is eager to work with other organizations, agencies, governmental agencies and individuals concerned about the very human journey from hunger to food security, from despair to hope.