2018年CRI Chinese farmer develops "Green Diamond" in Botswana（在线收听）

A Chinese farmer operating Botswana's first moringa factory is being credited with helping optimize Bostswana's agricultural structure, while at the same time, taking steps to eradicate poverty.

CRI's reporter Gao Junya has the story from Botswana.

Hu Yan is the first person to plant and process moringa trees on a large-scale basis in Botswana.

The Beijing native, who has been in Botswana for over 20 years, opened the Moringa Technology Industry, Botswana's first moringa plant, in 2017.

Hu Yan says Botswana has a lot of advantages for those hoping to set up a business in the southern African nation.

"Moringa is drought resisting and adaptable to different soil types. Botswana boasts rich land resources. Its weather is also pleasant for the growth of moringa."

Hu Yan's company has planted over 10-thousand moringa trees which has allowed for the development of a variety of processed products such as moringa tea, oil, tablets and noodles.

He says while some products are still undergoing testing, several products have already hit the shelves in local markets.

Hu Yan says his farm is currently trying to develop products which will best exploit the nutrition of moringa.

He says he's now working with local farmers to help mass-produce moringa products, which are some of the main exports from Botswana.

"Moringa is very valuble and has a lot of benefits for people's health. I want to further expand my business and make moringa products one of the benchmark exports of Botswana. My ultimate goal is to export my products to the overseas markets such as China, as well as western countries. This will help to optimize the local agricultural structure as well as boost employment."

Benni Motswasele, general manager of Moringa Technology Industry, says his boss is helping Botswana discover the value of the moringa.

"You can see some of the villages, there are some moringa trees. But not as many as one would compare to our site here. The awareness for moringa wasn't known here in Botswana until he came with this project."

Moringa is a popular supplement.

It contains large amounts of vitamin C, calcium, protein and potassium.

It also contains a wide variety of minerals which are said to be conducive to people's long-term health.