Impact of Moringa oleifera L. on Soil Fertility, Resiliency and Crop Productivity for Smallholder Agricultural Systems

Abstract

The production of crops in Sub-Saharan Africa is increasingly hampered by declining soil fertility, erratic climate patterns, and limited access to synthetic inputs. This systematic review evaluates the agronomic and environmental impacts of Moringa oleifera in smallholder farming systems in Zambia. A total number of 60 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and July 2025 were examined using PRISMA 2020 guidelines and a combined thematic and quantitative synthesis approach. Results confirm that Moringa oleifera significantly enhances soil fertility, as evidenced by improved nitrogen (4.79%), phosphorus (0.72%), and potassium (3.44%) uptake. Soil organic matter increased by 15–30%, cation exchange capacity rose by 11.3%, and microbial enzyme activity improved by 25–50%. Environmental benefits such as 84% increase in moisture retention, 36% reduction in surface runoff, improved pollinator biodiversity, and carbon fixation of 0.54–1.7 t C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Yield increases of 10–40% were recorded across major crops such as Maize, Rice, and Tomato. These findings position Moringa oleifera as a multifunctional bio-input with significant potential for improving soil health, boosting crop productivity, and improving environmental resilience. Its implementation within agroecological frameworks offers a low-cost, climate-smart solution for resource-constrained smallholder systems, with major implications for policy, research, and practice.