Moringa oleifera in South Africa: A review on its production, growing conditions and consumption as a food source

8689_doi_deposit 20210325120000 assa nadiag@assaf.org.za assa South African Journal of Science S. Afr. J. Sci 1996-7489 03292021 117 3/4 Moringa oleifera in South Africa: A review on its production, growing conditions and consumption as a food source Chuene V. Mashamaite Department of Agronomy, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6079-6093 Petrus J. Pieterse Department of Agronomy, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7602-6923 Palesa N. Mothapo Division for Research Development, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8724-4328 Ethel E. Phiri Department of Agronomy, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1473-2045 Moringa oleifera (moringa) trees excel mainly in tropical and sub-tropical regions and are known to thrive in a wide range of soil types. The recent rise in moringa production in various agro-ecological zones of South Africa could be attributed to its multiple benefits, including nutritional and medicinal properties. Since its introduction as a cultivated crop, there has been a growing interest from farmers, researchers and government on various aspects of the tree such as its morphology, chemistry, growing conditions, production, processing and utilisation. We reviewed the work done on moringa within the South African context in terms of production, growing conditions and cultivation practices. The involvement of government departments on moringa-oriented activities and its consumption as food were also reviewed. In addition, gaps were outlined on its utilisation that need to be addressed, and recommendations provided on what could be done to ensure successful production of moringa in South Africa. 03292021 1 10.17159/sajs.2016/crossmark sajs.co.za false 2020-07-22 2020-11-19 2021-03-29 Southern African Systems Analysis Centre, National Research Foundation (South Africa South African Department of Higher Education, Science and Technology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 10.17159/sajs.2021/8689 20210325120000 https://sajs.co.za/article/view/8689 https://sajs.co.za/article/view/8689/15889 https://sajs.co.za/article/view/8689/15889 https://sajs.co.za/article/view/8689/15889 https://sajs.co.za/article/view/8689/15889 https://sajs.co.za/article/view/8689/15889 https://sajs.co.za/article/view/8689/15889 https://sajs.co.za/article/view/8689/15889