Bharuch: In order to fulfill Prime Minister’s vision of 100% Neem coating of Urea, Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GNFC) undertook an innovative multidimensional Socio Economic Neem Project since 2015. GNFC has collected more than 45000 MT Neem seed through 4.5 Lacs rural women in last three years in five states namely Gujarat, Maharashtra, MP Karnataka & Rajasthan in more than 60 districts. Many Government organisations and NGO’s like Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company (GLPC), Reliance Foundation, ENARDE foundation, ATTAPI etc. in Gujarat, Gramin Vikash Trust (MP), Mahila Aarthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM) in Maharashtra & Karnataka Health Promotion Trust (KHPT) have partnered with GNFC for collection of Neem Seeds. M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) have also signed MOU with GNFC for Rural Development & Women Empowerment.

This year, GNFC had planned to expand this project in Uttar Pradesh(UP) by signing a MoU with IFFCO for this purpose. Neem project will be implemented in around 15 districts of UP i.e. Allahabad, Pratapgarh, Sultanpur, Sitapur, Lakhimpur, kheri, Jhansi, Hardoi, Barabanki, Farrukhabad & Raebareli, Kaushambi, Amethi, Raebareli, Ambedakarnagar etc. Many NGO’s from Uttar Pradesh have come forward and shown their willingness to be associated with this project in their respective territories.

This year, GNFC intends to collect 8000 to 10000 MT Neem seeds from UP. This will give additional income to more than one Lac rural woman to the tune of Rs 12 to15 crores and will cover around 2500 villages.

Smt Smriti Zubin Irani (Union Cabinet Minister for Textile, Information & Broadcasting, GOI) launched the Uttar Pradesh Neem Project at Kathaura –Jagdishpur, District Amethi (UP) on 13.04.2018. Addressing a large audience of rural women and farmers on this occasion, she appreciated GNFC’s efforts for implementing Neem project in many states across the country. She acknowledged that this Neem Project has generated additional income to lacs of rural poor, especially women. She specifically lauded the efforts of Dr. Rajiv Kumar Gupta IAS, MD GNFC for expanding Neem Project in other states and generating employment to lacs of women.

Considering large population of Neem trees in Uttar Pradesh, this project will generate significant additional income to rural women and will go a long way. This will be a significant step towards fulfilling Prime Minister’s vision of Neem coated urea in the interest of millions of farmers of the country, she said.
Shri Surya Pratap Shahi (Minister of Agriculture, Agri Education & Research, UP State), also graced the occasion. He appreciated GNFC for implementing Neem Project in Uttar Pradesh for generating additional employment for women and thereby empowering them. Shri Baldev Singh Aulakh, MoS for Minority Welfare, Agriculture, UP and Shri Suresh Pasi, MoS for Housing, Commercial education, Skill department, UP were also present at the ceremony.

Neem oil produced from Neem seeds is used for Coating of Urea. Neem coated Urea increases nitrogen use efficiency and stops diversion for industrial use. GNFC’s Neem complex consisting of various Neem product plants was also inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister a few months back.

GNFC has started producing Neem oil based products i.e. Neem Soap, Handwash, Shampoo, Hair Oil, Facewsah, Neem Mosquito repellent ,Neem Pesticide & Neem organic manure. Rural Women are involved after proper skill Training in production of these products.

This project has been appreciated by Hon’ble Prime Minister & many other dignitaries nationally & internationally. Department of Fertilizers, GOI has issued an advisory to all fertilizer units to replicate GNFC Neem project in other states.

DeshGujarat