Neem-based items have much potential

by Shari Jayawardhana

What if there were a tree growing in your backyard that could cure disease, fertilise soil, keep pests off crops and solve the environmental crisis? It might sound too good to be true, but the good news is, there is such a tree - and its none other than the Neem Tree (Margosa, Kohomba).

Neem is best known for its ability to relieve a range of skin conditions, naturally and without side effects.

It's not only skin conditions that neem treats though: it boosts the immune system, purifies the blood, and its oil can keep hair shiny, healthy and delays greyness.

It is also used to treat malaria, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, haemorrhoids and fever - to name just a few.

In Sri Lanka, it is quite common to see cosmetics and beauty products such as soaps, face wash, face masks, shampoos and lotions made out of Neem.

Neem as a natural pesticide

Neem oil has been found to be very effective on insects. Unlike chemical insecticides, Neem works on the insect's hormonal system and not on the digestive or nervous system, therefore, it does not lead to development of resistance in future generations.

Neem oil, derived from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica ) contains several chemicals, including "azadirachtin", which affects the reproduction and digestive process of a number of important pests and act as repellent also.

About 200 species of insects are known to be controlled by Neem. The eco-friendly attributes of Neem make it suitable for Integrated Pest Management programs.

In Sri Lanka, the Neem seed kernel water extract and Neem based commercial products (Neemal, Neemazol - F and Neem poonac) have shown efficacy against the cabbage leaf eating caterpillar, brinjal fruit borer and tomato fruit borer.

Soil incorporation of Neem and poonac effectively controls the root rot nematodes on vegetable crops such as tomato, cucurbits, beet and carrot and ornamental plants. Survey on Neem use for cabbage caterpillar in Sri Lanka has indicated that farmers were able to reduce their total cost of pest control by 44 percent and pesticide cost by 92 percent compared to those who used chemical pesticides. Farmers also realised that Neem was less costly and non-toxic to humans. Farmers observed that Neem effectively controlled pests with fewer applications and resulted in quicker pest control.

Neem has found to be useful in increasing the crop production in coconut plantations in Sri Lanka. A broad spectrum botanical Insecticide derived from the Neem tree seed kernel called NeemAzal has been proven to be effective in combating the coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis (Acari Eriophyidae) which is one of the most serious and intractable pests of coconut in the world.

Neem is also used as organic fertiliser as it has more Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorous, Calcium and Magnesium than the farm yard manure. It minimises the requirement of Nitrogen in crop production and hence reduces the cost of fertiliser application. It protects the soil during droughts and adverse weather conditions and is known to increase crop yields.

Solution for environmental problems

There are many environmental benefits for growing Neem trees: it as it acts as a flood control, reduces soil erosion and lessens salination. Neem has the potential to avert environmental crisis in Sri Lanka as it can be successfully used for rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems and waste lands. Neem is highly recommended for the reforestation of the Dry Zones in Sri Lanka particularly in the Northern Province due to many reasons: Neem is a hardy tree which thrives under harsh weather conditions such as extreme heat. It has a strong root system that can extract nutrients and moisture from poor soils. It is easy to propagate and once it has been established it needs very little attention or care. It is a perennial that can be regularly harvested for decades. Neem also helps in restoring and maintaining soil fertility which makes it highly suitable in agro-forestry.

Neem and the rural economy

Neem can be extremely beneficial in boosting the rural economy in Sri Lanka. The Timber Corporation of Sri Lanka should promote the use of Neem wood for furniture.

It can be used as a substitute for true mahogany as it belongs to the Mahogany family. A really useful property of Neem timber is that it repels pests such as termites.

Sri Lanka could cash in on the growing demand in European countries for household furniture made out of light-coloured Neem wood.

The majority of rural farmers in Sri Lanka manage on limited resources and they cannot afford the high cost of synthetic pesticides.

Therefore, the Agricultural Department should take steps to demonstrate and convince farmers about the possible benefits of using Neem in agriculture.

In developing Neem based products, there is room for innovation. Neem-based items have a lot of potential in the world market.

It is recommended that a separate institution be set up for researching and promoting Neem based merchandise, and that these value added products are manufactured under rural industries.