CONVERSATION
“Moringa awareness is very high”--Yakasai
Rabiu Auwalu Yakasai embarked on a MoringaStorm project after a workshop in Ghana in 2006 with the aim of creating awareness of the scientifically proven uses of Moringa. Recently appointed as Adviser to the Governor of Nigeria’s second most populous state, Kano, the Moringa activist told Odoh Diego Okenyodo that the tunnel just ended for his passion. Excerpts:
How would you rate awareness of Moringa around West Africa?
Very high, particularly in Kano State where the MoringaStorm project is rooted. The new scientific knowledge about Moringa revealed to us that West Africa is highest in the world in Moringa leaf eating. Apparently this triggered more trade transaction involving Moringa leaf in West Africa, particularly Moringa leaf powder now.
What would you consider to be the greatest achievement of MoringaStorm?
Moringa awareness in the corridors of power at the state and federal levels. At the national level, we now have National Moringa Association of Nigeria facilitated by the Raw Materials Research Development Council (RMRDC), Abuja. There is increased demand of Moringa, especially the leaf powder in many states of Nigeria, particularly where the tree does not grow but the people there understand the nutritional values of Moringa leaf as confirmed by modern science.
In Kano state, this is where I enjoy myself more than anything else when I see that traditional Moringa leaf traders --old women!-- make lucrative business more than before, consequent on the new Moringa nutrition knowledge that unfolded. In addition to the traditional cooked Moringa leaf they knew, today these women make Moringa Juice, food flavours/spices fortified with Moringa leaf powder, etc. There are many cooperative societies venturing into Moringa business in Kano and across the country now.
Now that you are an Adviser to the Kano State Governor on Agriculture, what more will you do for Moringa awareness?
We have done a lot about awareness before. In fact, I must confess that MoringaStorm project is one of the driving factors that led to my appointment by the Governor of Kano State, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The Governor has already made Moringa one of the key commodities for value chain development by his administration. Just keep tracking Moringa developments in Kano state and you will see what the Governor envisioned for Moringa in the state.
There is so much traditional knowledge by the local peoples on this plant; do you plan to capture this knowledge and document it in some way for the future?
Yes.
What has happened to the Moringa Enterprise Development Initiative (Mendinit)?
That is the dark side of my work. The administration in Kano state between 2006 and 2010 killed my zeal to develop the Mendinit project due to lack of interest even though the responsible Ministry was fully engaged for public private partnership (PPP) involving the focal point Moringa women traders. The Mendinit project really focused on improving problems associated with cooked Moringa leaf preparation, transportation, handling, trade, display, hygiene of the environment and personnel involved and all. But I must admit there has not been satisfactory result to my vision as the designer and implementer of the project. But I have another bigger and better opportunity now. So just keep your eyes on the track for renewed action. It will be amended properly now.