Sonjna (Moringa oleifera<\/em>) leaves with flowers<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Moringa oleifera<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0(synonym:\u00a0Moringa pterygosperma<\/em>) is the most widely cultivated species of the genus\u00a0Moringa<\/em>, which is the only genus in the family Moringaceae. English common names include\u00a0moringa<\/strong>, and\u00a0drumstick tree<\/strong>, from the appearance of the long, slender, triangular seed pods,\u00a0horseradish tree<\/strong>, from the taste of the roots which resembles\u00a0horseradish, or\u00a0ben oil\u00a0tree<\/strong>, from the oil derived from the seeds. The tree itself is rather slender, with drooping\u00a0branches\u00a0that grow to approximately 10m in height. In cultivation, it is often\u00a0cut back\u00a0annually to 1\u20132 meters and allowed to regrow so the\u00a0pods\u00a0and\u00a0leaves\u00a0remain within arm’s reach.^{[1]<\/sup>[2]<\/sup><\/p>\n}

In developing countries, moringa has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development, and support sustainable landcare.^{[3]<\/sup>\u00a0It may be used as\u00a0forage\u00a0forlivestock, a micronutrient liquid, a natural\u00a0anthelmintic\u00a0and possible\u00a0adjuvant.[2]<\/sup>[4]<\/sup>[5]<\/sup><\/p>\n}

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The moringa tree is grown mainly in\u00a0semiarid,\u00a0tropical, and\u00a0subtropical\u00a0areas, corresponding in the United States to\u00a0USDA hardiness zones\u00a09 and 10. While it grows best in dry,\u00a0sandy\u00a0soil, it tolerates poor soil, including coastal areas. It is a fast-growing,\u00a0drought-resistant tree that is native to the southern foothills of the\u00a0Himalayas\u00a0in northwestern India.<\/p>\n

Cultivation in\u00a0Hawai’i, for commercial distribution in the\u00a0United States, is in its early stages.^{[6]<\/sup><\/p>\n}

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“India\u00a0is the largest producer of moringa, with an annual production of 1.1 to 1.3 million tonnes of tender fruits from an area of 380 km\u00b2. Among the states,\u00a0Andhra Pradesh\u00a0leads in both area and production (156.65 km\u00b2) followed by\u00a0Karnataka\u00a0(102.8 km\u00b2) and\u00a0Tamil Nadu(74.08 km\u00b2). In other states, it occupies an area of 46.13 km\u00b2. Tamil Nadu is the pioneering state in\u00b7so\u00b7much as it has varied genotypes from diversified geographical areas and introductions from Sri Lanka.”^{[7]<\/sup><\/p>\n}

Moringa is grown in home gardens and as living fences in\u00a0Tamil Nadu\u00a0Southern India\u00a0and\u00a0Thailand, where it is commonly sold in local markets.^{[8]<\/sup>\u00a0In the\u00a0Philippines, it is commonly grown for its leaves, which are used in soup.[9]<\/sup>\u00a0Moringa is also actively cultivated by theWorld Vegetable Center\u00a0in\u00a0Taiwan, a center for vegetable research with a mission to reduce poverty and malnutrition in developing countries through improved production and consumption of vegetables.\u00a0Tamil Nadu\u00a0Southern India\u00a0has Moringa in its folk stories and as well considered to be auspicious to grow in home. Interestingly the name in\u00a0Tamil\u00a0is\u00a0Moorungai<\/em>\u00a0which sounds same as Moringa.<\/p>\n}

It is also widely cultivated in\u00a0Africa,\u00a0Cambodia,\u00a0Nepal,\u00a0Indonesia,\u00a0Malaysia,\u00a0Mexico,\u00a0Central\u00a0and\u00a0South America, and\u00a0Sri Lanka<\/p>\n