Moringa oleifera or drum stick tree is valued around the world for its nutritional value and the potential it holds for supplementing diets. A high proportion of Africa and Asia’s population, mainly women and children, suffer from nutrition-related health issues. As it is rich in various minerals, vitamins, and health promoting compounds and is easily cultivated, Moringa has many benefits and could be a sustainable addition to diets that can be locally sourced and even sold to support livelihood of farmers. A growing interest in this tree in recent years has created global awareness which has led to development of advanced research resources including a sequenced genome, a database of global genetic diversity, and new international partnerships. This event will gather global experts on Moringa genomics, breeding, biodiversity, and nutrition to present and discuss the latest research and identify critical knowledge gaps.
Agenda
Opening
New results on variation in Moringa oleifera and Moringa stenopetala fruit production among Kenyan populations
David Odee
Moringa oleifera: genetic diversity in Africa, genome sequencing, and genomics-based breeding program
Progress towards linking traits and genes in Kenyan Moringa oleifera– a key step for improvement
Break
Moringa oleifera: A smart crop for improved health, environmental impact, and economic potential
The International Moringa Germplasm Collection and the need for international collaboration in improving Moringa
