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All the parts of moringa are usable. Photos: Estefany Moná.

Forest Engineer Edison Alberto Gantivá during the conference at the Gerardo Molina Auditorium.

Some of the products produced by the alumni.

Moringa crops in eastern Antioquia.

Gerardo Molina Auditorium.

Moringa leaves are rich in protein, vitamins A, B and C, and minerals.

Although moringa is a plant native of India, some climate conditions in Colombia allow cropping in this region. Once planted the first crop may be harvested in the coming four months and consequently every 45 days onward. 

With funding from local awards such as Capital Semilla, Antójate de Antioquia and Feria del Emprendimiento EPM, Estefany Moná and Edison Gantivá purchased the tools, equipment and machinery to secure their firm and develop a dehydration center close to moringa farming communities. 

Dry moringa leaves were taken to Medellín to be powdered, sterilized and packaged in 30 and 100 gram packages. Furthermore they also produced moringa capsules, energy bars and beverages based on moringa and aloe vera. 

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) moringa leaves are rich in protein, vitamins A, B y C, and minerals. It is recommended for pregnant women, lactating and small children. The products based on moringa have antibiotic, antiulcer and anti-inflammatory properties, among others. 

Profitability and employment 

During his presentation Forest Engineer Edison Alberto Gantivá said that moringa has 10 times more vitamin A than carrots, 17 times more calcium than milk, 15 times more potassium than bananas, 25 times more iron that spinach and 9 times more protein than yogurt. 

He also spoke on his vision of productive projects in the agrarian sector, “As many UNal professionals are highly trained and with the potential to be entrepreneurs. The idea behind this is not only to get money out of this but to create employment, encouraging promising crops for the region,” he said. 

The regional congress was organized by students of the UNal-Medellín Faculty of Agrarian Sciences and also participated in the course on business entrepreneurship headed by Professor Juan David Gallo Velásquez, who also suggested organizing an event where the whole course would participate as a business to make the idea come to fruition.