Within the over 20 years that Jitender Mann spent in cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, and Delhi, he noticed a regarding development: rising charges of well being points amongst each younger and aged residents; thyroid issues and hypertension appeared to Jitender as a typical incidence in city areas. He, himself, was no exception.
“I used to be a workaholic throughout my early 20s, typically being the final one to depart workplace at 1 am. By my early 40s, I used to be affected by hypertension (BP) and excessive joint pains. I might commute by way of the metro and sit all day at a desk. I felt wholesome, however as soon as I began medicine for hypertension, I realised I used to be not,” he says.
“My blood stress was 160. It was a wake-up name for me. After beginning the medicine, I felt that this was going to be my new regular,” he provides.
Raised within the Laxmi Nagar space close to the Yamuna river, he typically witnessed farmers utilizing polluted water to irrigate their fields. “All of Delhi consumes meals produced in these fields. There was a time when just a few aged folks would complain of joint pains, however lately, even younger folks and toddlers are experiencing blood glucose points. I’m not an professional, however I consider every part is said to the meals we eat,” he provides.
Earlier this 12 months, an ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Analysis) report had revealed that an estimated 56.4 % of India’s complete illness burden was linked to unhealthy diets.
Jitender’s realisation fueled his willpower to maneuver again to his ancestral residence in Mehmudpur village in Sonipat district of Haryana, alongside his spouse, Sarla. In 2018, after working for 11 years at Tata Consultancy Companies (TCS), he determined to change into a farmer.
The couple steadily explored the therapeutic properties of moringa and launched into a journey to advertise its potential well being advantages. Right this moment, they’ve developed a worthwhile enterprise by promoting moringa powder to city customers in cities like Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad.
Tapping into ‘miraculous advantages’
Round 2015, throughout his keep in Delhi, Jitender first began rising moringa on the terrace of his residence. “I developed a lush inexperienced backyard with greens similar to ridge gourd, bottle gourd, and moringa,” Jitender remembers.
Impressed by the outcomes, the couple determined to exchange their wheat and paddy fields with a moringa farm after shifting to their village. Beginning with two acres of land, the couple steadily expanded their manufacturing to 4 acres.
A research titled ‘Moringa oleifera: An Up to date Complete Evaluation of Its Pharmacological Actions, Ethnomedicinal, Phytopharmaceutical Formulation, Scientific, Phytochemical, and Toxicological Elements’, printed in PubMed Central (PMC), noticed that moringa oleifera — also known as the “tree of life” or “miracle tree” — was efficient in treating wounds, ache, ulcers, liver illness, coronary heart illness, most cancers, and irritation; it was additionally proved to be useful in reducing glucose ranges. As per the identical research, moringa leaves are a fast treatment for inflammatory circumstances similar to glandular irritation, headache, and bronchitis. “It has miraculous outcomes,” Jitender exclaims.
Recognising the significance of preserving the dietary worth of moringa leaves, Jitender and Sarla invested in a state-of-the-art drying setup that ensures optimum drying circumstances whereas retaining the plant’s useful properties. “After plucking stems with leaves, we wash them twice and bundle seven to 9 stems collectively so that every leaf is separated for simpler drying,” Sarla explains.
“We dry the leaves underneath giant followers and likewise in a managed greenhouse setup, the place power will get trapped and the temperature is 8-10 levels hotter than outdoors. After 12 hours, the leaves change into crunchy and we separate them from the stems. We then make a rough powder in a pulveriser and take away stalks earlier than packaging,” she provides.
This meticulous course of, Jitender says, ensures that the dietary content material of the leaves stays within the closing product for distribution. “Moringa is a summer-loving plant in North India. We harvest leaves for about seven months between April and October, with the plant remaining dormant for the remaining 5 months,” Jitender says.
Sarla factors out that to make sure high-quality crop manufacturing, they adopted a jungle farming technique. “On this technique, we don’t until the soil and use weeds and different leaves as mulch. We additionally keep away from dangerous chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and weedicides. This ensures that our soil has good aeration and excessive carbon content material. You possibly can solely produce good-quality moringa leaves in case your soil is fertile,” she explains.
The street to turning into a worthwhile enterprise
Sarla informs that about 1,000 kg of dry powder may be produced from one acre of land. By promoting a 200-gram packet of moringa powder, the couple earns Rs 650. On common, they make gross sales of Rs 3.5 lakh monthly and Rs 10 lakh per acre each season. They established a buyer base in metro cities like Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Gurugram primarily via phrase of mouth.
“We began with two acres for cultivating moringa powder, however our demand is rising at twice the speed of our manufacturing. Subsequent 12 months, we intention to broaden our moringa fields from 4 to eight acres and discover worldwide markets,” Jitender provides.
For him, the shift from a company profession to farming has not solely been professionally rewarding however has additionally reworked his private well being and well-being. Free from the joint pains and hypertension that after plagued his city life-style, Jitender now embraces a vibrant and energetic life.
“Earlier than sending the powder for packaging, we maintain just a few jars apart for ourselves. Personally, each day consumption of moringa has changed my want for standard drugs. I not have any well being points. My blood stress now stays between 120 and 130, and I can do 5 chin-ups without delay,” he says.
“I really feel shifting to my village was the most effective selections we ever made. Working within the fields, we live an expensive life-style in our village, with metropolis facilities close by and air pollution far-off,” he provides.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee; All photographs: Sarla Mann
