School compound turned into superfood plantation by Ilocos Norte Elementary
In preparation for Nutrition Month, a Primary School in Badio Village, Pinili, Ilocos Norte is transforming its school compound into a plantation of the Filipino green leafy “superfood” – malunggay (Moringa oleifera).
Malunggay is commonly found in the backyard of most Filipino homes. Known as nature’s “Miracle Tree”, all parts of this amazing plant – leaves, bark, fruits, roots, pods, and seeds – are packed with nutritional and healing properties.
Some 147 students of the Badio Elementary School (BES), joined by around 50 parents, walked through the rice paddies (sans shoes and slippers) in the school’s 6,235 square-meter compound to plant malunggay cuttings.
Malunggay, also known as horseradish, is resistant to drought and grows well on Ilocos’ soil. “We chose malunggay because it is full of vitamins and minerals. It is also easy to grow by the parents and children at home,” says Aileen Rambaud, principal of BES.
After just a year after planting, malunggay can reach up to three meters in height, and its leaves can already be harvested – coincidentally, malunggay is a key ingredient of Dinengdeng, a beloved vegetable dish of Ilocanos.
Rambaud says that the school hopes to contribute to the health, welfare, and development of their community by planting malunggay, because of all the vitamins and micro-nutrients that this leafy vegetable contains.
There is a high demand for Moringa products not just in the local market but also in Europe, the United States, and other Asian countries, that are constantly on the lookout for processed Moringa products for food and medicine. However, limited technology and supply hinder local companies in the Philippines from meeting that huge demand.
Research shows that Moringa is a reliable source of vitamin A, B, C, and E, as well as iron, thiamin, calcium, beta-carotene, phosphorous, and lipoprotein. It is also considered as a potent herbal medicine due to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
