The current global market value of Moringa oleifera products is estimated to be billions of US dollars. Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in new and exotic products, particularly when they have traditional health benefits. Due to several developments, the potential utilization of Moringa oleifera in products is vast and constantly expanding. Moreover, a SWOT analysis was made by (Luhlaza Inetgrated Sustainable Solutions, 2019) to further determine the feasibility of unlocking the economic value and use of Moringa oleifera in other industries in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Moringa is one of the world's most useful trees and in the Philippines almost all parts of the plant are used for food and traditional medicine. Various research and development efforts are currently focused on food fortification to utilize the nutritional value of moringa and its medicinal potentials. For the past 10 years the moringa industry in the Philippines has grown significantly as research and development efforts have focused on this crop (Palada, 2017). In line with this, he government’s thrust to support innovative, rural and agro-industrial development, the Board of Investments (BOI) approved the application for registration of MAUSWAG AGRIBUSINESS INC. as a new export producer of Powdered Moringa (commonly known as Malunggay). The P 36.4 million project qualifies for incentives under the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) which covers production/manufacture of non-traditional export products with an export requirement of at least 50 percent (if Filipino-owned) and at least 70 percent (if foreign-owned). Commercial operation in the firm’s facility in Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur have already started in April 2017 with 56 personnel in its initial year. The firm, which has a registered annual production capacity of 49,500 kilos, expects its personnel to expand to 98 workers by the fifth year of operation (https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1001364).
Malunggay is now being eyed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the mitigation of malnutrition and poverty in the country. also, under its biotechnology program, DA urged the planting of malunggay as “revenue- generating industry”. Moreover, it is now being looked into as a potential export product as a natural ingredient for cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications. The data production for malunggay are collected and reported separately as a fruit and as a leafy vegetable. In 2008, malunggay leaves production was estimated 38, 501.1 MT, higher by 2.4% from the 2007 level of 37, 602.6 MT. The top three (3) producing regions and their contributions to the national total were: Western Visayas (18.6%); Northern Mindanao (15.1%); and Central Visayas (12.1%) (Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, 2008).
Due to the positive projections of malunggay industry in the Philippines, the House Committee on Agriculture and Food approved a bill on year 2018 which pursues to advance and toughen the moringa industry in the country. Due to its demand in public health. This bill tasks the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the municipal government concerned, to identify the broad areas suitable for the planting and propagation of malunggay, within six (6) months after the effectivity of this proposed measure. In view of the benefits that will be gained by maximizing the yield and use of malunggay for agricultural, industrial, commercial and medicinal purposes, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested (Legarda, 2018). The deputy speaker Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica of the Fourth District of Quezon City, one of the authors of the bill, said that, “it is now the time for the government to intervene and develop the moringa industry, given the many benefits of the malunggay”. Arroyo also said that, “it can increase multifarious and varied on- farm, off- farm and non- farm enterprise incomes, generate millions of jobs, utilize vast tracts of idle agricultural lands and urban spaces, make the Philippines globally competitive, impact local and international market and help attain food security and safety, poverty reduction and socio- economic equity" (De la Cruz, 2018).
In Region V, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has declared malunggay (Moringa oleifera) as among the banner crops of the Bicol region as its Regional Field Unit (RFU) plans out approaches to widen its production by means of new technologies and proper motivation. DA Regional Executive Director Jose Dayao said he had instructed all the research outreach stations (ROS) under the RFU in the six provinces of Bicol to facilitate the propagation of planting materials in support to a nationwide malunggay production and promotion program spearheaded by Agriculture Sec. Arthur Yap. “We are piloting promising technologies for this distinct crop that is now considered among the banner commodities of Bicol next to coconut, abaca and pili” (Calleja, 2009).
Malunggay is prevalent commodity in the Bicol Region, prominently in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon. However, malunggay is still considered to be a modest crop. Although various food entrepreneurs are already processing malunggay to multiple end- products, the main custom of it is just bounded to an ordinary vegetable that is used and cooked with coconut milk or gata. Locally, plant growers of malunggay indulge into backyard or fence cultivation.
