Ambika's moringa leaves are worth lakhs

THRISSUR: Green colour rice powder mixed with moringa leaves to make puttu... Payasam mix mixed with moringa leaves, Rasam mix, Soup powder... Monthly turnover of 1.5 lakh rupees.

It has been five years since Ambika Somasundaram of Kariat House, Marottichal started her food revolution in moringa leaves. Sales to America, Britain and Italy. The products will reach UAE and Dubai within two months. It will reach the Gulf as food supplements through a private company. Once you wash and dry moringa leaves and grind them, you can make about 30 products from it. The powder of sprouted and dried small grains mixed with moringa leaf powder is also sold as millet mixes.

Ambika turned to food products after resigning from the ESAF. She took a loan under the Prime Minister's Employment Guarantee Programme and started with curry powders, spices, chicken products... Experimented with Moringa leaves to make green rice powder. That's when the offer came from Gulf. A container of moringa leaf powder is required. Ambika identified the foreign marketing potential. She spent 15 lakhs and installed the necessary machinery. Moringa leaves are washed and soaked in turmeric water, dried in a dryer and ground in a pulverizer. More than 100 kg of dry moringa leaves is needed per month. Moringa leaves are collected from Kudumbashree members who cultivate it at Rs 30 per kg.

Ambika's husband is Somasundaram, a retired government official. Children: Indrajith and Indulekha.

Products

Powder, Capsule, Moringa Rice Powder, Moringa Millet, Chutney Powder, Soup Mix, Capsule.

The products have reached many places in the country through online market under the name Kariat Dry Foods. ISO certification and trade mark was taken. Branding was done as 'Dry Mix'.

Many benefits

• Lifestyle diseases can be controlled
• Can protect heart health
• Can reduce acidity

Income: One and a half lakh rupees per month

Investment: 15 lakhs

60 capsule bottle: Rs. 300

Moringa leaf powder 50 grams: Rs. 100

One kg of powder: Rs. 2,000

Employees: Eight

Building: 1500 Sq

Equipment: Dryer, Pulverizer, Packing Machinery, Roaster, Steamer, Freezer, Dispenser

It is well accepted abroad as a healthy food with medicinal properties. Moringa leaves are easily available here as well -Ambika