Neem Workshop In Nagpur PDF Print E-mail
Neem   Workshop   In   Nagpur :

A Regional Workshop was organized in Nagpur on ‘Development & Production of Neem Products as Environmental Friendly Pesticides’ by the Neem Foundation. The importance of Neem in Indian agriculture, its potential in organic agriculture, farmers experiences and the role of the Neem Foundation in creating a platform for all stake holders in the Neem movement were some of the issues that were presented and discussed during the two day Meet. 

The commitment and interest of the Government of India in harnessing and promoting Neem was evident and the presence of Mr. P.S. Singh from the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India was appreciated by the participants. Addressing the gathering Mr. Singh lauded the outcome of the Sub-Programme ‘Development & Production of Neem Products as Environmental Friendly Pesticides’ which was being supported by his Ministry and implemented by Neem Foundation for over 3 years. He further added that similar projects need to be implemented at various sites. He presented his experience of two study tours undertaken under the auspices of the Sub-Programme to countries like Thailand, Burma and China in Jan 2003 and May 2004.

Mr. Anil Arora – Asst. Prog. Officer, UNDP presented an international perspective on the importance of Neem in the global context and the proactive role and contribution of UNDP in assisting to reduce the load of synthetic chemicals on the environment.

Dr. B. N. Vyas – Gen. Manager, Godrej Agrovet Ltd., Mumbai briefed the gathering about the co-ordinating role of the Neem Foundation in sensitizing the government authorities to frame policies supportive of eco-friendly alternatives. He cited the example of the recent inclusion of Neem Coated Urea in the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), which became possible only after a sustained effort of the Foundation along with the Industry. He presented his paper on, "Role of Neem-Based Agri-Input Products In Sustainable Agriculture" (which appears elsewhere in this issue). He estimated that neem products for agriculture, health & hygiene have a market potential of about Rs. 1000 crores.

Asst. Regional Co-ordinator of RENPAP, Dr. Y. P. Ramdev sounded a cautioning note on the excessive use of POP’s and their long term toxicity on humans, animals and environment. In his presentation he elaborated on the details of various pesticides used in agriculture, their toxicity in nature, and their volume of production, consumption and export v/s botanical pesticides. He explained scientific procedures of NKAE preparation and its efficacy on various insect pest and crops. Dr. Ramdev pointed out that being available locally throughout the country and having a wide range of pest management activity neem can replace chemical pesticides to great extent and also provide employment opportunities in villages.

During second session Dr. R.T. Gahukar, made an exhaustive presentation on "Use of Neem Extracts on Cotton" and gave the participants information about local organic farming practices and the combinations of herbal inputs used.

Dr. (Mrs.) Neeta Thacker, Scientist, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, (NEERI) Nagpur presented her paper on "Synthetic and Bio-pesticides Usage in India". She highlighted various aspects like pesticide effectiveness and persistence, consequences of synthetic pesticide, pesticide poisoning and toxicity. She said that neem has a immense potential as medicine, as a pest control agent, for fungicide, insecticide etc. Dr. (Mrs.) Asha Juwrakar, Deputy Director of the same Institute, gave a talk on “Utilization of Neem Tree Plantations for Reclamation of Waste and Barren Lands”. According to the study neem can be successfully planted to rejuvenate wastelands and mine spoil dumps.

Dr. (Ms.) Mandal of Vivekananda Institute of Biotechnology, Nimpith, presented the activities and achievement of the project implemented at West Bengal Neem shed.

Mr. Laxmikant Padole, Park Co-ordinator, Neem Foundation presented project activities implemented in Nagpur and adjoining districts around. He told that the farmers in the region gave positive response to the use of NKAE. He presented activity of NKAE on different crops and pests graphically.

Subsequent to the paper presentations, participants were invited to share their experiences and voice their views:

Eminent Scientist Dr. Rahudakar shared with the gathering some precious traditional knowledge handed down generations and practiced in his home. He described how heated rives stones were used to extract Neem leaf juice effortlessly by his mother. 

Mr. Shyam Sundar Chandak a noted organic farmer representing an organic farmers group from Saunsar, Madhya Pradesh shared his experience of chemical free farming and the need to spread mass awareness about the dangers of current intensive farming practices.

Mr. Sanjay Goel of Shriram Solvent Extracts Pvt. Ltd. a eminent neem manufacturer and entrepeneur from Jaspur, Uttaranchal expressed his disappointment at the lack of quality standards with regard to Neem raw material and stressed that great care is needed for quality neem seed collection and production of good quality of Neem products.

On the second day about 25 participants from Nagpur were transported to Gondkhairy, a village on the outskirts of Nagpur where the Neem Foundation's Demonstration, Research and Product Development Centre is located. The group was ferried by bus and were joined by approx. 70 farmers and growers of the area.

The participants were greeted with an exhibition of photographs, banners, posters, neem processing equipment and machinery was on display and the participants were taken around the exhibits by the Foundation's Staff.

The participating farmers were invited and encouraged to share their experiences in using NKAE during field demonstrations, which was followed by an open discussion on various issues of neem usage in agriculture. Some of the farmers who had tried out NKAE on their plots also described the benefits they had obtained from its use such as effective pest control, increase in yield, better quality of the produce and cost savings. A step by step demonstration of scientific fruit collection, depulping neem fruits, drying of neem seed, NKAE preparation and its application on crop was given to the participants.
Participants visited scientific trial plots and observed various treatments under trials and expressed their opinions. The farmers were also given a live demonstration of the different steps involved in processing of NKAE, provided with leaflets and posters on the NKAE technology.  Also demonstrated were the newly developed depulping and seed drying equipment developed by the Foundation's technical team for processing neem fruits on large scale.

Many farmers expressed their willingness to use NKAE in coming season and demanded kernel powder, neem cake and neem oil.

All the participants were handed feedback forms and requested to fill up the same and hand them to the Foundation staff in order to record their views, suggestions and recommendations.

The following are some of the Recommendations:

1    Many more such workshops should be organized for farmers to discuss and share scientific work being done by different Institutes and Organizations.
2    Emphasis should be placed on including farmers and disseminating information in a way that is   practical and of immediate use to them.
3    Proper policies need to be framed by the Authorities in respect of Neem cultivation, harvest and package of practices etc.
4    As neem is originally linked with our culture it is advisable that topics related to Neem should be included at all levels of school curriculum. It can be added as a part of literature or environmental science.
5    Govt. of India should provide policy support to encourage neem usage by providing exemption from excise and sales tax for neem based plant protection products.


< Prev   Next >