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From 6 July 2006, a graphic version of the current edition is available at the Daily News Online web site.

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According to a Botswana College of Agriculture (BCA) lecturer, the Moringa Oleifera, pods and flowers are a good source of nutrition and medicine. However, said Baptiste Nduwayezu, the plant has not been clinically tested yet.

Giving a public lecturer, on alternative ways of improving health and reducing rural poverty in Botswana at BCA, he said the tree seeds are used in water purification and provide edible oil which is also used in lubrication, soaps, and cosmetics and as a source of medicine.

He said there is increasing evidence that the consumption of Moringa Oleifera, leaf vegetables and leaf powder remarkably improved health conditions of some people in Botswana.

Nduwayezu, who is leader of the Moringa Oleifera project in Southern Africa, said the tree could be dubbed the green diamond of Africa because it could also generate revenue if fully utilized for its medicinal and nutritional values.

He said it can improve health conditions of HIV positive people, increase breast milk in lactating mothers, lead to improved health of babies and also treat a number diseases such as TB, diabetes, heart problems, lower blood sugar levels, eye and ear infections and many other diseases.

Moringa Oleifera tree is a fast growing highly coppicing and drought resistant medium sized tree species native to northern India.

However the tree also known as horseradish or drumstick tree and belongs to the Moringaceae family, is found in other parts of the world.

It prefers alluvial sandy soils though it grows in a variety of soils apart from stiff clays even in marginal soils and with very little care.

In Botswana the tree is found in Gaborone, Mahalapye, Palapye, Francistown, Maun and other parts of the country but only a few know the benefits and uses of this miracle tree.

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