Sub-Optimal Yields in Moringa: Reasons and Remedies
Introduction
A combination of low yielding Moringa varieties, the absence of effective crop management, and high plant mortality during the planting phase, contributes to sub-optimal yields.
As Moringa is poised on the cusp of commercialization, Moringa investors have stepped up their efforts to develop a viable Moringa Industries, and some are already well on the road to success.
However, with so many new projects coming up, and a lack of understanding of the Moringa Oleifera Plant and reliable information; lack of quality inputs; lack of Best Agricultural Practices and expertise & poor management techniques; many projects are only achieving mediocre results
1. Factors affecting the yield in Moringa
The Advanced Biofuel Center (ABC), the Moringa research entity is continuously working on modern high-yielding varieties developed by breeding programs, under ideal climatic conditions in Africa, Asia, and America etc. in view of Moringa investors demand. We at ABC are continuously studying the factors for suboptimal yields in Moringa crops and found several factors pose significant risk to moringa farms leading to yield reduction when they are not correctly monitored and well managed. These factors are technological, biological, and environmental
- Environmental factors
The environmental factors affecting crop yields can be classified into abiotic and biotic constraints.
1. The abiotic constraints include soil properties and climatic stresses
2. On the other hand, biotic factors include beneficial organisms and pests
2. Biological factors
Plant diseases are caused by different micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. In addition, various soil-borne and above ground non-insect pests also affect crop production.
3. Technological factors
A wide range of technological innovations in agriculture like genetic improvement of varieties, fertilizer technology, adaptive microbial technology, pesticides, farm machinery, agronomic and management practices (integrated management of nutrients and pests) have been achieved through research programs to understand their implications in enhancing crop productivity
2. Strategies to overcome crop yield reduction
Climate smart agriculture (CSA) is now widely accepted as the best approach for addressing the effects of climate change in agriculture. CSA is an innovative approach based on the following three pillars:
1. sustainably increase agricultural productivity and incomes.
2. adapt and build resilience of people and agri-food systems to climate change.
3. and reduce or, where possible, avoid GHG emissions.
3. Management of the environment
One of the main factors determining the amount and quality of the yield is the weather, which describes the state of the atmosphere at a given place and time. Specific weather conditions such as sunlight, temperature, rainfall, wind, and humidity affect the entire plant production process, from seedbed preparation to harvesting.
Hence, monitoring the weather is imperative, especially when planning field activities such as:
• Sowing/planting
Moringa requires a specific minimum and maximum temperature for germination and growth. So, tracking weather conditions may help in the determination of optimal date for sowing/planting.
• Fertilization
Proper fertilization requires specific weather conditions such as low wind speed, medium temperature, and low possibility for rain after it’s performed.
• Protection
Like fertilization, optimal time for protection performance depends on the forecasted weather conditions as to ensure to take care that there is no possibility for rain after the application, as well as to spray at low/medium temperatures.
• Harvesting
Heavy and prolonged rain at the time of full crop maturity can cause severe crop damage and yield loss, it’s extremely important to ensure the best possible conditions for harvest to secure the quality of harvested crops.
Each activity related to the plant and field has its own requirements in the term of weather conditions and time of application, which, if considered, will allow obtaining high and quality crop yield.
4. Management of Agricultural Inputs
Improvement of irrigation performance and water management are critical to ensure the availability of water in dry season. To improve crop productivity and sustainability, it is recommended to install drip irrigation
Fertility and pH:
Adequate soil fertility is another important factor that allows Moringa to reach their maximum yield potential. Consulting soil tests and ABC’s recommendations for adequate levels of nutrients will help determine how much macro and micronutrients should be applied. When the proper pH range is maintained, soil nutrients will be available to the Moringa plant for uptake. Generally, a pH range between 6.4 and 6.8 maximizes Moringa yields. Adequate pH levels also improve the ability of Rhizobium bacteria to fix nitrogen.
Inoculant:
Mycorrhizal and Rhizobium inoculation of seed with will ensure that enough bacteria are present in the soil to fix adequate amounts of N and vigorous growth.
Row Widths:
Based on row width, soil types, suitable rows spacing allow plants to canopy earlier and capture optimum levels of sunlight and nutrients for photosynthesis.
Disease and Pest Management:
Growers should apply Integrated Pest Management system. Scouting throughout the vegetative and productive season will also be important to determine if rescue treatments including fungicides or insecticides need to be made.
Alternative agricultural practices
Such as organic production is promoted as being environmentally friendly with reduce agricultural impacts on water quality. application of chicken manure compost enhanced soil quality and increased the accumulation of soil organic matter, available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). Microbial fertilizers are distinctly environment-friendly, non-bulky, cost-effective and play a significant role in plant nutrition.
Producing an organic Moringa crop can be challenging yet rewarding. When it comes to organic Moringa production, there is also a steep learning curve that must be accounted for. All, the results show that an enterprise represents a potential opportunity to increase one’s profits. The organic farm plan is intended to reduce dependence on off-farm inputs.
To utilize farmyard and Animal manures and composts in most economical way, a growers need to learn the making of on farm biofertilizers as farmyard and animal manure and compost are considered complete fertilizers since they contain N, P, and K. In addition to these nutrients, they also provide secondary and micronutrients that can benefit the plant if these nutrients are lacking in the soil, to learn all about it attend 8th Global Moringa Meet 2021
Growers who take time to properly manage their Moringa will move closer to attaining the high-yield potential of today’s Moringa genetics MOMAX3 Moringa.
5. SUPERIOR GENETICS
Planting the right seed sets the stage for the entire lifespan of the plantation. Growers should plant genetics with high yield potential. Choose varieties that have been tested at several locations and across multiple years. Choosing MOMAX3® seeds is not only opting for high-performance seed from advanced research, but also benefit from on farm agronomic advice and experience from a team of seasoned experts. As the high performing variety with agronomic traits aids in achieving higher yields.
Remember, genetics make yield, so let’s first make sure we’re selecting the best genetics for the highest yields — the best practices just protect yield.
As a purveyor of Moringa seed, what ABC means by quality is that our MOL’E/MOMAX3 Moringa seed consistently delivers superior germination rates, true-to-type performance, highest yield, best flavors, and more powder/oil. averages 300% more oil per hectare compared to other varieties. MOL’E Moringa cultivar developed for leaf cultivation yield as much as 30 tons of quality Moringa leaves per year in a super high density farming system
Nursery Plants:
The ABC experts working on the Moringa plantation have developed the best Nursery techniques for production of quality saplings just to ensure proper and profitable production of Moringa Oil crop. The MYCORRHIZED PLANTS with 99% survival success provide Longevity and productivity with Early fruition and flowering with Higher yields
The development of the high-yielding and most adapted crop cultivar MOMAX3 and MOL’E Moringa seeds has been a game changer for Moringa industry.
Being profitable is the main goal of every Moringa farm business. The Moringa Farm profitability depends on three main factors: Yield, Revenues and Production costs. These measures shall reduce the production cost, increase the yields, and ultimately enhance the profitability, see the financial impact of appropriate strategy
6. FINANCIAL IMPACT
Many different methods of establishment, farming and harvesting is possible. Moringa Farm to be specifically designed to guide towards the right balance of cost, yield, labor and finally cost per mt.
The profitability under low, medium, and high management is given in below
Apparently with highest performing genetics MOMAX3 Moringa seeds with perfect management and right package of practices shall have fantastic results
7. The Moringa Knowledge Expertise
We combine our enhanced knowledge with unmatched expertise and more than decade long unparalleled experiences to provide clients a single platform to answer their questions and receive insights from experts — quickly, compliantly, and cost-effectively. Thus, make them adequate knowledge available more effectively and quickly than ever before.
To Improve productivity, maximize crop yields/improve farm profitability, manage fertilizer and irrigation application, and keep costs under control you need to acquire or employ best expertise and state-of-the-art Moringa farming technology, you need adequate knowledge and applied crop consulting.
The knowledge will help not only to maximize yields, but also improve the management and sustainability. Knowledge can help you to optimize and improve the quality of harvest and value addition. To enable Moringa project developer to have enhanced knowledge, we have introduced 4 important international programmes and on Moringa Production and application
Global Moringa Meet:
Global Moringa Meet is the premier destination for Moringa growers, producers and professionals interested in the latest Moringa production technology, news, and policy.
Moringa Farm Stay
Moringa Farm Internship Program) :Moringa Farm Stay (Moringa Farm Internship Program is sort of like a live, interactive slideshow of agriculture making of Moringa from “Soil to Superfood” that touches all the participant’s senses.
Consult with experts:
online/ Mobile consultancy for setting Moringa Projects
If you are looking for setting up of Moringa farm for seeds or for leaf successfully, go through the Checklist for setting up of a successful Moringa Oil Farm: Tips for higher yields: https://dpmaharshi.medium.com/checklist-for-setting-up-of-a-successful-moringa-oil-farm-tips-for-higher-yields-ff2ff8e18b72
Dis cover your success in Moringa Industry with our Most productive MOMAX3 and MOL’E Moringa seeds supported with total know how. Book your order here and contact for More RFQ
For more write or contact us
DP Maharshi
Founder, CEO, Advanced Biofuel Center,
Chartered Expert, Educator, Global Consultant, Implementer, and Passionate Scale Up Expert as Moringa Business optimizer
T: (91) 9829423333, E: moringaindia@yahoo.com
