"FOLSUN Initiative: Empowering Health Through Food—The Kanhye Moringa Nutraceutical Journey

 The Kanhye Moringa Nutraceutical Journey," was presented by Vinay Kanhye of V Kanhye Health Foods Co Ltd. V Kanhye Health Foods Co Ltd is a local and international award-winning company in innovation, production, and quality. The company is the pioneer in Mauritius to plant organic Moringa on a commercial scale and process it into products since 2014.

The founder, Mr. Vinay Jayruth Kanhye, is the Managing Director. An electrical engineer with an MBA, his interest in Moringa began in 2012 while on holiday in London. Fascinated by the nutritional and therapeutic potential of this plant, which has always enriched his native land, he decided to exploit it in Mauritius.

 

 The Nutraceutical Market and Moringa's Potential

• Nutraceuticals are defined as food and beverages that provide medical and health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of diseases.
• The Annual Global Turnover for Nutraceuticals in 2023 was estimated at US$ 300 billion, with an Expected Annual Growth Rate of 8% till 2026. This growth is driven by a rising trend for prevention through natural products.
• A UOM-EDB Study in 2019 concluded that Moringa has the highest Nutraceutical potential.

The Miracle Plant: Moringa Benefits and Nutritional Value

Moringa, also known as the "Mouroum," is rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The presentation details numerous benefits :

• Health Benefits: Normalizes blood sugar , normalizes blood pressure , strengthens the immune system , anti-inflammatory , anti-ulcer , anti-tumor , anti-fungal , anti-cholesterol , and anti-depressant.
• Wellness and Energy: Increases mental clarity , increases energy & endurance , improves digestion , improves wound healing , detoxification , and acts as an appetite suppressant.
• Targeted Use: Nutrition for infants 6 months & older and pregnant and nursing mothers , used to treat UTI , enhances skin health , reduces wrinkles/age lines , and stimulates hair growth.

Key Nutritional Content:

• Contains: 92 nutrients, 46 anti-oxidants, 36 anti-inflammatories, 18 amino acids, and 9 essential amino acids.
• Comparative Value: 2x the Protein in Yogurt, 3x the Potassium in Bananas, 4x the Calcium in Milk, 4x the Vitamin A in Carrots, and 7x the Vitamin C in Oranges.

Product Uniqueness and Market Presence

The company sources its organic Moringa from the North part of Mauritius, which is sunny all year round.

• Soil and Environment: The area is free from water, chemical, and air pollution, ensuring no heavy metals. The volcanic soil makes the moringa mineral-rich with a nice taste.
• Manufacturing: A unique manufacturing process ensures that the flavors, color, and nutrients are as close as the fresh leaves.
• Clients: Local clients include supermarkets, pharmacies, spas, and various tourist shops (MDFP, La Vanille, Chamarel). The company also exports to USA, Canada, Germany, Reunion, France, UK, and Australia.

Achievements and Growth

The company has won numerous awards, demonstrating consistent growth and export success (promoting Mauritian products).

• Major Awards: Grand Winner SME Innovation Award 2017 , Grand Winner National Productivity and Competitiveness Council 2018 , Gold Award Winner for the International Convention on Quality Control Circle Singapore 2018 , and COMESA Innovation Award 2021.
• International Recognition: Selected to represent Mauritius and pitch at St James Palace for the Pitch@Palace Commonwealth 2018 , Awarded Top 15 Southern and Eastern African SME by the GIZ-Germany 2021 Export Promotion Program , and Awarded Top 20 Southern and Eastern African SME by Bond Innov Paris under the Enrich in Africa Project 2021.
• Economic Growth (2014 to Present):
• Started with: 2 acres, 4 employees, and 1,000 boxes monthly.
• Actual: 14 acres, 10 employees, an 800 m2 automated and new factory, and 12,000 boxes monthly.

Sustainability and the Future Strategy

V Kanhye Health Foods Co Ltd is compliant with 10 of the 17 UN SDGs.

• Social: Job creation, training and mentoring, equal opportunity (over 50% staff are women), and support for NGOs like CANMA and GRF.
• Environmental: Use of solar PV, rain water harvesting, sustainable and organic agricultural practice, reforestation, and reuse/recycle of all by-products as compost. Process wash water is recycled for irrigation.
• Economic & Sustainability Strategy:
• Regional procurement from Rodrigues and Madagascar.
• Emphasis on Regionalisation due to Mauritius’s limited resources.
• Community involvement through Contract Farming and empowering the public for backyard/off-ground plantation.
• Focus on circular economy by sending by-products back to the fields for mulching and composting.
• Focus on New Markets, such as Africa.

The conclusion stresses that global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts (Ukraine and Israel wars), trade barriers, and climate change effects necessitate that businesses, especially SMEs, rethink and remodel their strategies for both immediate survival and long-term growth/sustainability. The key to survival is modern agricultural practice and constant innovation with the collaboration of all stakeholders (growers, processors, institutions, universities). The company's ultimate wish is for people to "Consume Healthy & Stay Healthy"