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Arishtha Amaznia
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Acacia leucophloea Willd. A. senegal Willd. Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. Flacourtia indica (Burm.f.) Merr. Holoptelea integrifolia Planch. Proposis cineraria (L.) Druce. In very dry teak forests, its associates include Anogeissus latifolia Wall. Boswellia serrata Roxb. Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr. Sterculia urens Roxb. Tectona grandis L.f. In southern tropical dry mixed decidous forests, Neem grows with: Acacia catechu Willd. A. latifolia A. leucophleoa Bauhini spp. Boswellia serrata Terminalia tomentosa W & A., as well as in sucessional forests dominted by Acacia ssp. and Anogeissus pendula Edgw. Neem is also found in the southern tropical thorn forests with: Acacia catechu A chundra Willd. A. ferruginea DC. A. latronum WILLD. A. leucophloea A. nilotica (L.) Del. ssp. indica (Benth.) Bren. Albiziz amara Chloroxylon swietenia DC.
Arishtha Amaznia
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Arishtha Amaznia
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general antiseptics, antimicrobials, treatment of urinary disorders, diarrhoea, fever and bronchitis, skin diseases, septic sores, infected burns, hypertensions and inflammatory diseases. Neem oil and its isolates - nimbidin, nimbidiol and nimbin inhibit fungal growth on humans and animals. Neem leaf extracts and teas can treat malaria. The anti-malarial action is attributable to gedunin, a limonoid. Contact of kissing bugs, Rhodnius prolixus, vectors of Chagas' disease in Latin America, with Neem extracts or azadirachtin "immunizes" them against the protozoan parasite Trypanosome cruzi, opening up new possibilities of controlling the diseases. (Vietmeyer 1992). Physico-Composition Of Fresh Neem Leaves
Moisture Proteins Fat Fibre Carbohydrates Minerals Calcium Phosphorous Iron Thiamine Niacin Vitamin C Carotene Carolific Value Glutamic acid Tyrosine Aspartic acid Alanine Proline Glutamine 59.4 % 7.1 % 1.0 % 6.2 % 22.9 % 3.4 % 510 Mg/100g 80 Mg/100g 17 Mg/100g 0.04 Mg/100g 1.40 Mg/100g 218 Mg/100g 1998 Microgram/100g 1290 Kcal/Kg 73.30 Mg/100g 31.50 Mg/100g 15.50 Mg/100g 6.40 Mg/100g 4.00 Mg/100g 1.00 Mg/100g
Properties of Neem
Since ancient times, Neem has been associated with healing in the sub-continent of India. A large number of medicinals, cosmetics, toiletries and pharmaceuticals are now based on Neem derivatives because of it's unique properties. Bark Neem bark is cool, bitter, astringent, acrid and refrigerant. It is useful in tiredness, cough, fever, loss of appetite, worm infestation. It heals the wounds and is also used in vomiting, skin diseases and excessive thirst. Leaves According to Ayurveda, Neem leaves help in the treatment of vatik disorders (neuro muscular pains). Neem leaves are also reported to remove toxins, purify blood and prevent damage caused by free radical in the body by neutralising them. Neem leaves are reported to be beneficial in eye disorders and insect bite poisons. It treats Vatik Disorders (neuroand muscular pains).
Arishtha Amaznia
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Fruits Neem fruits are bitter, purgative, antihemorrhodial and anthelmintic in nature. Flowers Neem flowers are used in vitiated conditions of pitta (balancing of the body heat) and kapha (cough formation). They are astringent, anthelmintic and non-toxic. Seeds Neem seeds are also described as anthelminitic, antileprotic, antipoisonous and bitter in taste. Oil Neem oil derived from crushing the seeds is antidermatonic, a powerful anthelmintic and is bitter in taste. It has a wide spectrum of action and is highly medicinal in nature. Mixture Five parts of Neem tree ie. Bark, Root, Fruit, Flower and Leaves together are used in diseases of blood. It is also used in vitiated conditions of excess heat, itching, wound burning sensation in body and skin diseases.
Arishtha Amaznia
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Arishtha Amaznia
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from ancient trees". Agridyne, another U.S. - based company, is marketing 'Align' (with 3% azadirachtin and 97% inert ingredients, mainly other Neem limonoids) for control of insect pests in vegetable, fruit, nut and agronomic crops. Both products are now being used on commercial-scale crop management in Canada. Neem-based pesticides are expected to capture 10% of the global pesticide market by the next decade. Grace and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have also obtained a patent on a technique for using a Neem extract as a fungicide. A total of nearly 50 patents have been grated on Neem so far. The use of additives, adjuvants, activators, and even Bt, are being examined for potentiating the activity of azadirachtins against insect pests (Walter and Stark 1996). The Grace's patenting of Neem pesticides and their formulations has evoked serious criticism an challenge in the developing world, particularly in India, as an example of 'folk wisdom piracy'. Neem has been used in the Indian subcontinent for ages for insect control and for a range of medical purposes, and should be regarded as 'prior art'. In case of Neem, the wheel of technologfy as turned East to West, rather than West to East. Efforts are underway in some European countries to extract azadirachtin on a commercial scale from Neem calli. But, in all probability, such ventures would remain nonviable and economically unjustifiable. Quantity Neem seed with high aza content would remain the basic raw material for production of Neem-based insecticides of the future. In that context, tropical countries of Asia and Africa could become major exporters of the raw material or even value-added finished products
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Neem for fungi infections Neem is reported to be found effective in treating certain fungi that infect the fuman body such as athlete's foot fungus that infects hair, skin and nails; a ringworm that invades both skin and nails of feet; a fungus of the intestinal tract; a fungus that causes infections of the bronchi, lungs and mucous membranes and a fungus that is part of the normal mucous flora that can get out of control leading to lesions in mouth, vagina, skin, hands and lungs. Neem for viral diseases Neem has been used traditionally in India to treat several viral diseases. Even many medical practitioners believes that smallpox, chicken pox and warts can be treated with a paste of Neem leaves - usually rubbed directly on the infected skin area. Experiments with smallpox, chicken pox and fowl pox show that Neem is convincingly effective against prevention if not for cure. Crude Neem extracts absorbs the viruses effectively preventing them from spreading over unaffected cells. Recent tests have shown that Neem is effective against herpes virus and the viral DNA polymerase of hepatitis B virus. Neem for dental care Rural inhabitants in India and Africa have been using Neem twigs as tooth brush for centuries. Neem twigs contain antiseptic ingradients which provide required dental hygiene. Ayurveda describes Neem as herbal drug which is used to clean the teeth and maintain dental hygiene. Neem in the form of powder is also used to brush teeth and massage gums. Neem for Chagas disease Chagas disease is a major health problem is Latin America. It cripples millions of people there every year. Laboratory tests in Germany and Brazil show that Neem may be an answer to this dreadful disease. The disease is caused by a parasite which is spread by an insect called kissing bug. Extracts of Neem leaves have effects on these kissing bugs. Research has shown that feeding Neem to the bugs not only frees them from parasites, but azadirachtin prevents the young instects from molting and the adults from reproducing. Neem for Malaria In ayurvedic medicine system Neem is used to treat malarial fevers. Recent experiments have shown that one of the Neem's components, gedunin is as effective as Quinine against malaria. Malaria affects millions of people, even in most developed cities and is responsible for about 2 million deaths every year in Indian and several other African and tropical countries. China has adopted Neem in a very big way for it's anti-malarial operations. Their formulation based in Neem viz. 'Quinahausu' cures malaria quite effectively. Neem oil treated mosquito nets and mosquito-repellent cheap tablets are also becoming popular. Because of growing problems of resistance to conventional treatments, it is becoming more and more difficult to control malaria. Neem's use in malaria is surely a big hope in completely eradicating malaria.
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along with Piper nigrum Linn., are found to be effective in intestinal helminthiasis. The paste of leaves is useful in ulceration of cow-pox. An aqueous extract (10%) of tender leaves is reported to possess anti-viral properties against vaccinia, variola, foulpox and New Castle disease virus. The extract of leaf yields fractions which marketedly delay the clotting time of blood. The strong decoction of fresh leaves is stated to be an antisceptic. The hot infusion of leaves is used as anodyne for fomenting swollen glands, bruises and sprains. Fruits The fruit is used as a tonic, antiperiodic, purgative, emollient and as an antithelmintic. The dry fruits are bruised in water and employed to treat cutaneous diseases. Seed & Kernel Oil The kernels yield a greenish yellow to brown, acrid, bitter fixed oil (40.0-48.9%), known as Oil of Margosa. The oil has many therapeutic uses and is covered in Indian Pharmacopia. Medicinal properties of the oil are attributed to the presence of bitter principles and odorous compounds. The bitter principles are used in the pharmaceutical industry. Intrauterine medication of oil controls different types of metritis. The oil is reported to have anti-fertility properties. It posseses anti-fungal and antiseptic activity and is found to be active against both Gram negative and Gram positive micro-organisms. Effect of Neem oil has been evaluated in diabetes as antihyperlycaemic agent. The Neem oil has shown antihyperglycaemic effect in dogs.
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Neem as an inexpensive contraceptive method There are several modern contraceptive methods available, however these are generally inaccessible and financially beyond the reach of the developing countries, including India. People are also apprehensive about these methods because of their harmful side effects. Research has shown that certain Neem ingredients have contraceptive properties. Neem oil acts as a powerful spermicide. It can be used as an external contraceptive by women. In the first century B.C. Charaka, the eminent Indian physician, gave details of the method for using Neem for contraceptive purposes. In traditional used cotton soaked in Neem oil is kept in the vagina for 15 minutes before intercourse. It kills and hampers the speed of sperms. Recent scientific experiments in India have revealed that Neem oil kills spermatozoa within 30 seconds and has proved effective, both in laboratory trials and in practice - where an intravaginal dose of 1 ml of Neem oil was used. Histopathology failed to reveal any side effects.
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Arishtha Amaznia
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in its life time. Other economic uses of Neem and the benefits derived, such as biomass production, timber, seed and honey are more tangible and quantifiable.
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and relatively less expensive. Among various options, Neem has been identified a source of environmentally "soft" natural pesticides. Crop Pests Neem has had a long history of use primarily against household and storage pests and to some extent against crop pests in the Indian sub-continent. It was a common practice in rural India to mix dried Neem leaves with grains meant for storage. Mixing of Neem leave (2-5%) with rice, wheat and other grains is even now practiced in some parts of India and Pakistan. Also, as early as 1930, Neem cake was applied to rice and sugarcane fields against stem borers and white ants. Some innovative farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states in India even today "puddle" green twigs and leaves in rice nursery beds to produce robust seedling and simultaneously ward-off attack by early pests-leafhoppers, planthoppers, and whorl maggots. Controlled experiments confirmed that rice seedlings raised from seed treated with Neem kernel extract or cake were vigorous and resistant to rice leafhoppers and planthoppers. Early observations that Neem leaves were not attacked by swarming locusts were also confirmed in laboratory studies and attributed to Neem's anntifeedant activity against locusts.
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with a 50% reduction in weight of untreated cobs stored for 6 months. (Kega and Saxena 1996). While Neem treatments cannot replace completely chemical pesticides used in stored products preservation, the amounts of pesticides needed could be reduced, thereby decreasing the pesticide load in food grains. With proper timing and innovative methods of application, their use could be integrated in stored products management. Blood-sucking Pests Ascher and Meisner have reviewed the effects of Neem on hematophagous insects affecting humans and livestock. Application of a paste made from Neem leaves and turmeric in 4:1 proportion to the skin cured 97% of the patients suffering from scabies caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabei in 3- 15 d. Monthly sprays of ethanoilic extracts of Neem or weekly bathing in azadirachtin-rich aqueous 1:20 'Green Gold' controlled the bush tick, Ixodes holocylus, and the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus in Australia, but were less effective against the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. In Jamaica, Neem kernel extract controlled ticks on cattles and dogs. Neem products repel and affect the development of mosquitoes. Two percent Neem oil mixed in coconut oil, when applied to exposed body parts of human volunteers, provided complete protection for 12 h from bites of all anophelines. Kerosene lamps containing 0.01-1% Neem oil, lighted in rooms containing human volunteers, reduced mosquito biting activity as well as catches of mosquitoes resting on walls in the rooms; protection was greater against Anopheles than against Culex. Effectiveness of mats with Neem oil against mosquitoes has also been demonstrated; the vaporizing repelled mosquitoes for 5-7 h at almost negligible cost. The sandfly, Phleobotumus argentipes, also was totally repelled by Neem oil, mixed with coconut or mustard oil, throughout the night under field conditions in India. Application of Neem cake @ 500 kg/ha, either alone or mixed with urea, in paddy fields in southern India reduced the number of pupae of Culex tritaeniorhynchus, the vector of Japanese encephalitis, and also resulted in higher grain yield.
Application to the Neem seed cake to crops provides them with various nutrients. Besides the Neem seed cake also reduces the number of soil insect pests, fungi, bacteria and nematodes and protects the crop from damage caused by these organisms. Neem seed cake can also reduce alkalinity in the soil by producing organic acids when mixed with the soil. The calcium and magnesium present in Neem cake also aid in removing alkalinity. For cash crops such as tumeric, sugarcane, banana and cardamom, 200 kg per hectare of Neem cake is applied. For black pepper and betelvine 250 g per plant is applied. Neem cake is also extensively used for citrus trees, jasmine, roses and vegetable crops as an organic manure.
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Arishtha Amaznia
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difficult to control with conventional pesticides (floral thrips, diamond back moth and several leaf miners). Most Neem products belong to the category of medium to broad spectrum pesticides, i.e., they are effective over a wide range of pests. Using Neem derivatives for managing pests is a non-violent approach to controlling pests. Neem products work by intervening at several stages of the insect's life. They may not kill the pest instantaneously but incapacitate it in several ways. Neem very subtly employs effects such as repellence, feeding and ovipositional deterrence, growth inhibition, mating disruption, chemo-sterilization, etc. These are now considered far more desirable than a quick knock-down in integrated pest management programs as they reduce the risk of exposing pests' natural enemies to poisoned food or starvation. The action of Neem products fulfills all priorities among environmental objectives. This unique tree is perhaps the most significant example of how nature can combine diverse functions i.e., the action of de-oiled Neem cake as a pesticide cum fertiliser. Chemistry of Neem for Organic Farming Neem plants, as do all other plants, contain several thousands of chemicals. Of special interest are terpenoids that are unique to Neem and some related members of this family. More than a hundred terpenoids are known from different parts of the Neem plant. Of its biological constituents, the most active and well studied compound is Azadirachtin. However in most traditional preparations of Neem as pesticide or medicine, a mixture of Neem chemicals are present and provide the active principles. Several different kinds of azadirachtin (A-K) have been isolated, the most abundant of which is Azadirachtin-A. The Neem terpenoids are present in almost all parts of the plant, in the living tissues. Recently, the site of synthesis and accumulation of Neem chemicals has been identified as secretory cells. Secretory cells are most abundant in the seed kernels. For Protecting Crops Neem is quite effective against army worm, one of the most devastating pests of food crops in the western hemisphere. Azadirachtin in extremely low concentrations - a mere 10 mg per hectare - inhibits the pests. Neem extract is useful against leaf miner, a serious pest in parts of North America. Neem seed extract works as well as available commercial synthetic pesticides. It has been approved by the US environmental protection agency for use on Leaf Miners. Neem is extremely useful as an antifeedant and ovi-positional repellent for protection of crops like tobacco, groundnut, cotton and sweet potato from the damages caused by tobacco caterpillar or tobacco cutworm, a serious polyphagous pest of several crops in India. Experiments have shown that Neem is also effective against fruit flies. Med fly, one of the most damaging horticulture pests, can be controlled by spraying Neem solution under fruit trees. Neem has an advantage over the currently used pesticides. Whereas conventional pesticides kill fruit flies as well as thrips, internal parasites, Neem products on the other hand leave the biological-control organisms unaffected; they only kill fruit flies. This reduces, in fact, eliminates adverse, unintended effects. De-oiled Neem cake (the residual remaining after the oil has been pressed out of the seeds) and Neem oil are quite effective against rice pests. Five applications of a 25% oil emulsion sprayed with an ultra low-volume applicator can protect rice crops against brown plant hoppers. Neem products greatly reduce the tungo virus transmission efficiency of green leaf hopper in rice. For Protecting Stored Crops One of the traditional uses of Neem in Asia has been for controlling pests of stored products. Farmers usually mix Neem leaves with grain before keeping it in storage for several months. Neem leaves, oil or extracts act as repellent against several insects such as weevils, flour beetles, bean-seed beetles and potato moths. Treatment of jute sack by Neem oil or azadirachtin-richproducts prevents the penetration of pests like weevils and flour beetles. Neem oil destroys bean-seed beetles (bruchids) - a variety of insects mostly attacking legumes - at the egg-stage itself. A mixture of Neem leaves and clay and dung develops pest resistant property so it can be used to make bins for storage of grain. Preperation of Neem products for Organic Farming Neem is attracting world wide attention in recent decades mainly due to its bioactive ingredients that find increasing use in modern crop and grain protection. Described here are some easy methods by which the Neem extracts can be prepared by the farmer himself: Neem Kernel extract 50 g of Neem kernel is required for use in 1 litre of water. The Neem kernel is pounded gently. It should be pounded in such a way that no oil comes out. The outer coat is removed before pounding, this is used as a manure. If pounded with seed coat 1 times (75g) seeds is required. The seeds that are used for preparation of Neem kernel extract should be at least 3 months old and should not be used after 8-10 months. Before 3 months or after 8 months, the azadirachtin quantity is quite low in the seed and hence it cannot efficiently be used for pest control. The pounded Neem kernel powder is gathered in a muslin pouch and this is soaked overnight in the water. The pouch is squeezed and the extract is filtered. To the filtrate, an emulsifier like teepol, sandovit, soap oil or soap cake powder is added. One ml of emulsifier is added to one litre of water. The emulsifier helps the extract to stick well to the leaf surface.
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Neem Leaf extract For 5 litres of water, 1 kg of green Neem leaf is required. Since the quantity of leaves required for preparation of this extract is quite high (nearly 80 kg are required for 1 hectare) this can be used for nursery and kitchen gardens. The leaves are soaked overnight in water. The next day the leaves are grounds and the extract is filtered. The extract is beneficial against leaf eating caterpillars, grubs, locusts and grasshoppers. To the extract, emulsifier is added as mentioned in kernel extract. Neem Cake extract 100 gms of Neem cake is required for 1 litre of water. The Neem cake is put in a muslin pouch and soaked in water. It is soaked overnight before use in the morning. It is then filtered and emulsifier is added -1-ml for 1-litre of water. It can then be used for spraying. Neem Oil Spray 30 ml Neem oil is added to 1 litre of water and stirred well. To this emulsifier is added (1ml/1litre). It is very essential to add the emulsifier and mix properly. This should be used immediately before the oil droplets start floating. A knapsack sprayer is better for Neem oil spraying in preference to a hand sprayer. Spraying should be undertaken in the morning or late in the evening. During hot conditions the frequency of spraying should be more. In winter spraying once in 10 days and in rainy season, every day spraying is recommended. Insects lay eggs on the underside of the leaves. Hence it is important to spray on the underside of the leaves as well. While using a powder sprayer reduce the quantity of spraying to half. It is better to use low concentration of extracts frequently. Each acre of land can be sprayed with 60 litres of ready to use solution.
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Timber The sapwood of Neem tree is grayish white, while the heartwood is reddish brown. The wood is aromatic; it is not very lustrous though but is easily sawn. It seasons well when sawn still wet. It can be worked both by hand and by machines, but it does not take polish well. Neem timber is durable even in extended exposed conditions. In addition, it is resistant to termites and woodwarms. Neem wood has long been used as firewood and charcoal made from Neem wood is of excellent quality. Bark Neem bark contains tannins which are used in tanning, dyeing etc. Compounds extracted from Neem bark are used in production of some dental-care products like toothpaste etc. Seed Neem seed pulp is useful for methane gas production. It is also useful as carbohydrate which is rich base for other industrial fermentations. Leaves Neem leaves possess excellent medicinal properties. In addition to it's usefulness in Pest management and Disease control they can also be fed to livestock when mixed with other fodder. Neem leaves are used in some parts of Indian as fertilizer in rice fields, especially in the south Indian states. In some countries, Neem leaves are used as mulch in tobacco and tomato fields. They can be very effectively used to kill weeds by spreading them over plant roots to retain moisture. Neem leaves can also be used to protect stored woolen and silk clothes from insects. Neem Cake Neem cake is versatile and has many uses. It can be used as livestock feed, fertilizer and natural pesticide. It not only provides organic nitrogen but also inhibits the nitrification process, when mixed with urea, before applying in the fields. Such use of the Neem coated urea in 90:10 proportion can save upto 30% of the total chemical nitrogen requirement of the crops which otherwise would go waste. This results in cost reductions of agricultural production. Neem cake is widely used in India as fertilizer for sugarcane, vegetable and other cash crops. Neem cake also acts as natural pesticide when added to soil, which protects plant roots from soil-insects and nematodes. Neem Oil The most common use of Neem oil is for soap production for economical reasons. This is infact the gross misuse of the precious agent which otherwise has several compounds proven for medicinal and agricultural uses of high importance and value. On the other hand, if properly used for soap production to harness it's general hygiene properties, the resulted product is infact proved to be of great health use. Such medicated soaps with Neem odour are proved to have very effective anti-germ properties. Neem is also becoming a popular beauty aid. Few companies are using Neem oil and leaves for producton of cosmetics like facial creams, nail polishs, nail oils, shampoos and conditioners etc. Neem oil is also a very effective mosquito repellent.
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powder or cake mixed in water and provided for drinking or chicken forced fed with Neem cake during epidemic survived, while other died.
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industry worldwide. Inspite of widespread research and proof of its established virtue, a lot of crucial work still need to be done to develop appropriate technologies, disseminate correct information and set standards for future use. In addition, the Foundation hopes to work towards documenting and reviving ecologically sound traditional practices to bring the Neem and it's products back into every day life. This can go a long way to benefit rural societies in developing countries. The setting up of a model Neem Plantation by the Foundation will be a step in this direction. Neem Foundation regularly holds workshops, conferences, seminars & meets. The foundation is supported by members and industry worldwide. Neem Foundation's Action Committee Dr. Ramesh Saxena, Senior principal scientist, is the head of the Integrated Pest Management Section at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya. He received his M.S. in tropical entomology from the University of Hawaii in 1966 and hid Ph D in Host Plant resistance to insect pests from Delhi University in 1973. In 1975, he joined the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) as a post doctoral fellow in entomology. In 1977, he joined the ICIPE-IRRI on major rice pests as an entomologist. From 1987 to July 1991, he served as entomologist in IRRI's Genetic Evaluation and Utilization Program. His major contributions include evelopments of methodologies for efficient insect rearing and screening of rice germplasm, including wild rices, biochemical and plant insect interactions, role of rice plant biotypes, and biointensive pest management. He conceptualized the relevance of botanical pest control for resource-limited farmers and demonstrated the potential of Neem and other onedible oil trees for ecologically sound pest management. He developed a simple process for extracting Neem seed bitters for pest control. He has been invited to speak at more than 40 international conferences and has published more than 200 scientific and professional articles. He was president of the Philippines Association of Entomologists in 1987-88 and won several awards in the Philippines. His research work has been featured in international press releases and TV documentaries : "Coast to Coast" (Philippines), "Beyond 2000" (Australia), "State of the Earth" and "Discovery" (USA) and "Krishi Darshan" (India). Dr Sexena is the Chairman of the Neem Foundation and is based in Kenya. Ms. Pramila Thakkar is a Founder Trustee of the Neem Foundation; she has been actively associated with social issues like the environment and education for the last several years and is currently Managing Trustee and Hon. Editor of the Global Neem Update, the quaterly newsletter of the Neem Foundation. Qualifications: Graduated from Bombay University in 1974 Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Human Psychology Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from Rajendra Prasad Institute of Communaication, Chowpatty, Bombay She is an avid conservationist and is a leading proponent of the Neem tree. In her pursuit of environmental issues, she travels extensively around the world. Her work has taken her to countries as far flung as Kenya, Australia, Turkey, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Egypt, Belguim, Italy, Thailand, The United States and most of Europe where she has made a case for reversing environmental degradation through afforestation and other natural solutions. As a participant at the 'World Neem Conference', Bangalore in February 1993, she was instumental in urging action for the urgent need to expedite registration procedures for bio-pesticides. She has been repeatedly invited as a resource speaker at FINIDA and UNEP programs in Africa. Ms. Thakkar was one of the four expers invited from India to attend the International Symposium On Toxicity, Safety And Proper Use Of Biopesticides held in Phitsonlouk, Thailand in October 1996. She has presented papers at the World Neem Conferences in Australia in February 1996 and Canada in 1999. Ms. Thakkar is on the Governing Body of the Ecological Resources Research Cemtre - Thiruvananthapuram. She lives in Bombay and is also the Hon. Secretary of the Neem Foundation. Mr. Shersingh Bhandari is a stalwart of the printing industry in India with which he has been associated for the last 50 years. He is well-known philanthropist and is the Chief Trustee and Chairman of the Bhandari Charitable trust and the IEMCO Charitable trust which have been rendering valuable assistance to all sections of the society. In addition, Mr. Bhandari is also a Founder Member of the All-India Graphic Machinery Manufacturers and Dealers Association. He was also a Member of the Development Council for the Printing Industry, appointed by the Government of India. Mr. Bhandari is the Vice-Chairman of the Neem Foundation and actively devotes time and effort to the cause of Neem. Mr Sitaram Churiwala is a founder trustee of the Neem Foundation and is and actively promots the usage of Neem for public health. Mr. Churiwala is a dedicated Rotarian and is Director, Environment of the Rotary Club of Bombay Airport. He has also been associated with the rehablitation programme providing Jaipur foots to the needy underr the auspices of the Rotary Club. In addition, Mr.Churiwala is an active environmentalist and is associated with several social causes. Padmashree Vaidya (Dr.) Suresh Chaturvedi; Dr Chaturvedi is one of the foremost practitioners of Ayurveda in the world. He is the receipient of one of India's highest civilian awards, the PADMASHREE, he is the Honorary Physician to the Governor of
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Maharashtra and one of the senior most physicians at the Bombay Hospital. He has authored several books on Ayurveda including 'Neem in Ayurveda'. Vaidya Chaturvedi is the Chairman of the Neem Foundation's Health Committee.
Current Projects
National Network for Integrated Development Of Neem After several representations by the Neem Foundation, the Govt.of India was finally convinced to constitute a national network for the integrated development of Neem in 1999. The highlights of this network's programs are: cataloguing of all eco-types/collections of Neem from the country compiling a complete database on Neem undertaking R&D for tree improvement organising workshops and training programs for effective dissemination. Setting up of Neem nurseries throughout India. The Foundation is working with nine of the country's premier institutes on this program. They are:
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National Botanical research institute (NBRI) Forest research Institute (FRI) Tropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI) Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB) Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI) Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI)
UN bodies fund a new program on Neem: Funded by the Government of India, UNDP a project titled "Technical Support for Development and Production of Neem Products as Environment Friendly Pesticides" is to be set up by the Neem Foundation in Nagpur, Maharashtra under the guidance of UNIDO. It aims to be the World's first and finest model for developing and utilising a gamut of Neem technologies for sustainable human development.
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