1. Role of Neem in Organic Farming
Ramanjaneyulu
Centre for Sustainable Agriculture
International Conference on Neem
2. Neem in India
• Grows in the plains and in areas that reach an elevation of
about 1850m
• Tolerant to most soil types including dry, stony, shallow
soils, lateritic crusts, highly leached sands and clays
• With an extensive and deep-rooted system, the hardy
Neem can grow and flourish even in poor, marginal and
leached soils
• The Neem tree flowers between February and May. The
honey-scented white flowers, found in clusters are a good
source of nectar for bees
• Neem fruits are green drupes that turn golden yellow on
ripening in the month of June July and August in India.
3. Neem as fertiliser
• Neem seed, cake and leaves can be used as fertilisers
• Neem Cake has an adequate quantity of NPK in organic form for plant growth
• Contains
– N(Nitrogen 2.0% to 5.0%)
– P(Phosphorus 0.5% to 1.0%)
– K(Potassium 1.0% to 2.0%)
– Ca(Calcium 0.5% to 3.0%)
– Mg(Magnesium 0.3% to 1.0%),
– S(Sulphur 0.2% to 3.0%)
– Zn(Zinc 15 ppm to 60 ppm)
– Cu(Copper 4 ppm to 20 ppm)
– Fe (Iron 500 ppm to 1200 ppm)
– Mn (Manganese 20 ppm to 60 ppm)
– It is rich in both sulphur compounds and bitter limonoids.
4. • Neem seed cake also has the capacity to reduce
alkalinity in the soil by producing organic acids which
help in removing the alkalinity of the soil
• The calcium and magnesium in the neem cake also aid
in removing alkalinity
• Being totally natural, it is compatible with soil
microbes, improves and rhizosphere microflora and
hence ensures fertility of the soil
• Neem Cake improves the organic matter content of the
soil, helping improve soil texture, water holding
capacity, and soil aeration for better root development.
5. Neem: Denitrificator
• The oxidation of ammonium (NH4+) to nitrate (NO3-) in the microbially
mediated process of nitrification has long been recognised as a key
nitrogen transformation process in soil–plant systems
• Several reports show impact of nitrification on other N-transformation
processes such as NO3-leaching and reduction of NO3_ to gaseous N
compounds (denitrification) that can reduce the availability of N for crop
production
• The impact of the nitrification process itself and subsequent reduction of
NO3_ on the release of nitrous oxide to the atmosphere, a key greenhouse
gas, has also been widely studied
• Better timing of fertiliser N, splitting of N inputs and use of chemicals to
block nitrification in soils are strategies that have been advocated to
reduce N losses.
• Meliacin in neem blocks soil bacteria from converting nitrogenous
compounds into nitrogen gas (acts as a nitrification inhibitor) thereby
prolongs the availability of nitrogen to both short duration and long
duration crops
6. Soil pest management
• Neem cake organic manure protects plant
roots from nematodes, soil grubs and white
ants probably due to its residual limonoid
content
• Neem cake is widely used in India to
fertilize paddy, cotton and sugarcane
7. Neem in pest management
• Neem extracts can influence nearly 200
species of insects
• Some of these pests are resistant to
pesticides, or are inherently difficult to control
with conventional pesticides (floral thrips,
diamond back moth and several leaf miners).
8. Neem biological impacts
• Insect growth regulation: Azadirachtin has a unique property of working on
juvenile hormone. The insect larva feeds and when it grows, it sheds the old skin
and again starts growing (ecdysis or moulting) which is governed by an enzyme
called ecdysone. When the Azadirachtin enter the body of larvae, the activity of
the ecdysone is suppressed and the larva fails to moult, remains in the larval stage
and ultimately dies. If the larva escapes this stage due to sublethal dose, it would
be malformed/sterile in the pupal or adult stage.
• Feeding deterrent: The most important property of neem is feeding deterrence.
The Azadirachtin, Salanin and Melandriol create a vomiting sensation in the insect
body which prevents them eating. Sometimes, the swallowing is also blocked.
• Oviposition deterrent: Prevents female insects from depositing eggs. When the
seeds or grains are treated with neem seed kernel extract or neem oil, the insect
will not feed on them and when female comes to the egg laying period of its life
cycle, egg laying is prevented.
• formation of chitin (exoskeleton) is inhibited
• Mating as well as sexual communication is disrupted
• Larvae and adults of insects are repelled
• Adults are sterilised
• Larvae and adults are poisoned.
9. Preparation of Neem Seed Kernal Extract
Soak 5 kg neem kernal from shade dried
fruitsin 10 lit of water for 4 hrs
10 to 15 kg shade dried fruit
powder can also be used
Ground neem kernals to paste and tie in a piece of
Dilute the solution in 100 l of water to spray for cloth and soaked in water
one acre
Strain the milk like extract and add 100 g detergent powder Squeeze to extract the solution for
15-20 min
11. Neem use against different pests
• Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, crickets, katydids, etc): Neem products act as
antifeedants. Several species of these insects refuse to feed on these plants
treated with neem for several days to several weeks. Recently it has also been
discovered that neem products convert the gregarious swarms of locusts to
solitary forms.
• Homoptera (Cicadas, Aphids, Scale insects, leafhoppers, etc): In leaf hoppers and
plant hoppers neem products show considerable antifeedant and growth
regulating effects. Scale insects are not much affected. In some cases, the host
plant may influence the degree of control; this seems to apply to some whiteflies.
The ability of certain homopterous insects to carry and transmit viruses are also
influenced by neem products. Low doses prevent the green rice leaf hopper from
infecting rice fields with tungro virus
• Thysanoptera (Thrips): Neem products are very effective in controlling thrips
larvae which are found in the soil. Their effect is moderate when used on adult
thrips and related pests found on plants. Neem oil is more effective as it
suffocates these tiny creatures.
12. • Coleoptera (Beetles and weevils): Larvae of all kinds of beetles refuse to
feed on plants treated with neem. Their growth is retarted and some soft
skinned ones are killed on contact.
• Lepidoptera (Moths, skippers, millers and butterflies): neem products act
as growth deterrents in the case of the larvae of most lepidopterous pests.
They also act as anti-feedant.
• Diptera (Flies): Insects like fruit flies, face flies, bot flies, house flies and
horn flies are affected by neem products.
• Hymenoptera (Bees, wasps, sawflies, ants etc): larvae of sawflies exhibit
the antifeedant and growth regulatory effects.
• Heteroptera (bugs): Neem products exhibit antifeedant and growth
retardant properties on bugs like rice bugs etc and vegetable bugs.
13. • Plant viruses: besides insecticidal properties, neem is also a
promising agent for control of plant diseases. Neem oil in
combination with paraffin oil reduces the incidence of
Yellow Vein Mosaiv (YVM) of okra, yellow mosaic of grain
legumes and leaf curl of chillies. Neem oil and custard
apple oil will interfere with transmission of rice tungro
virus. Neem leaf extracts have shown to reduce
transmission of tobacco mosaic virus which is a serious pest
of vegetable crops.
•
• Fungi: neem exhibits antifungal properties. It prevents
powdery mildew when sprayed before the outbreak of the
disease. When treated with neem, Aspergillus flavus do
not produce aflotoxins.
14. 2004
2006
Commnity Managed Sustainable Agriculture in
Andhra Pradesh
2004-05 started with 225 acres in one dist and
reached 7 lakh acres in 2007-08 in 18 dist.
today the prog covers 20 lakh acres in 18 dist
World Bank says this is a good tool for poverty
eradication
With 50 % development expenditure one can
double the incomes of the farmers
2009
15. Farmers and area covered under CMSA
RKVY funds MKSP funds
4000000
3500000 3500000
3000000
2800000
2500000
2000000 2000000 2000000
1500000 1500000
1300000
1000000 1000000
700000 600000
500000 200000
225 25000 300000 Acerage
0 80000
100 15000
Farmers
pilot * Planned intervertion
CSA handholding support
NGOs technical support at field level
SHG groups ind. handling
…aiming to reach 100 lakh acres across crops in all districts of AP in by 2014
17. Economics from 10 locations of CSA
work
Crop Cost of Gross Returns
Net returns (Rs.)
cultivation Yield (Q/Ac.) (Rs.)
(Rs/Ac.)
Non- Non- Non- Non-
Organic Organic Organic Organic
Organic Organic Organic Organic
Paddy 11950 14340 32 32.2 29340 29630 17390 15370
Maize 7922 8314 21.8 19.6 19620 17640 11698 9326
Groundn 9270 10340 9.8 9.8 24500 24500 15230 14160
ut
Bengalgr 4800 5650 5.5 6.5 11270 12300 6475 6650
am
Chilli 48918 72237 24.5 26.5 147000 117000 98082 47013
Onion 13200 15400 71.6 67.6 28800 26000 15600 10600
Cotton 10980 10380 4.5 4 13500 11600 2520 1220
Annual reports of CSA from 10 locations each having 5 villages 2008-2012
18. Average Reduction in costs and net
additional income for different crops
Crops Reduction in cost Reduction in costs due to use Net additional
due to NPM (Rs) of organic fertilisers/manures income (Rs)
(Rs)
Paddy 940 1450 5590
Maize 1319 2357 5676
Cotton 1733 1968 5676
Chillies 1733 1968 7701
Groundnut 1021 3462 10483
Vegetables 1400 390 3790
3rd Party Evaluation of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) : Community Managed Organic
Farming
implemented by SERP
Evaluation Team
Prof. R. Ratnakar, Director, Dr. M. Surya Mani, Professor, EXTENSION EDUCATION INSTITUTE,
(Southern Region), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India
19. Evaluation Report – ANGRAU
• Third party evaluation commissioned by Department of Agril
for RKVY
• Study conducted in 18 districts funded by RKVY
• Proportionate Random sampling method was used
• Study conducted in 24 Mandals, 62 clusters, 320 villages
• 3200 farmers, 10 farmers from each sample village
22. General Observations – ANGRAU
• The crops viz paddy, Chillys, vegetables etc are very healthy
• In case of POP activities beneficiaries earned upto
Rs.40,000/- from ½ acre
• Farmers who practiced Palekar models felt happy for the
benefits derived by them
• The lands allocated to POP beneficiaries were enthusiastic to
cultivate SRI and NPM methods
• In some of the sample villages farmers were earning Rs.1000
per month through NPM shop
• In Sunflower and horse grams seed setting were good with
NPM practices
• FFS farmers are practicing AESA and decision making based
on field observations
23. • Red gram introduced as an inter crop in soya bean fields, due to which
beneficiary organisms were observed in the field
• Information materials about NPM practices were very good
• Wall writings with pictures are very impressive
• Majority of the beneficiaries shifted from Monocropping to Mixed farming
• There was yield increase about 1-2qtls in different crops
• Increase in Nutritional status and livelihoods observed
25. Cost incurred on Fertilizer and Pesticide usage in PADDY crop during Post
CMSA –NPM compared to Pre CMSA & and Non NPM fields (in Rs./ha.)
District Material Pre CMSA Post CMSA NPM Post CMSA Non NPM
Kharif Rabi Kharif Rabi Kharif Rabi
Srikakulam Fertilizers 1543.00 1428.00 1120.50 980.43 2514.90 1992.00
(44.55) (49.21)
Plant 1235.95 1300.00 986.00 772.00 2245.00 2145.00
Protection (43.91) (35.99)
Guntur Fertilizers 2863.50 - 1888.00 - 3968.00 -
(47.58)
Plant 1480.56 - 949.18 - 3261.90 -
Protection (29.09)
Nellore Fertilizers 2104.00 2312.00 1868.70 1781.15 3838.60 3584.00
(48.68) (49.69)
Plant 2369.00 2095.00 918.88 1068.00 3182.90 3212.10
protection (28.86) (33.24) 25
26. Cost incurred on Fertilizer and Pesticide usage in CHILLY crop during Post
CMSA –NPM compared to Pre CMSA & and Non NPM fields (in Rs./ha.)
District Material Pre Post CMSA NPM Post CMSA Non
CMSA NPM
Guntur Fertilizers 3720.00 2867.00 4200.00
(68.26)
Plant 12000.00 4224 18200.00
Protection (23.20)
Irrigation 4482.00 8470.00 9960.00
(85.04)
26
27. Cost incurred on Fertilizer and Pesticide usage in COTTON crop during Post
CMSA –NPM compared to Pre CMSA & and Non NPM fields (in Rs./ha.)
District Material Pre CMSA Post CMSA NPM Post CMSA
Non NPM
Guntur Fertilizers 3486.00 3392.80 3585.60
(94.62)
Plant Protection 7723.00 5431.04 10560.00
(51.43)
Warangal Fertilizers 2120.00 2472.00 2590.00
(95.44)
Plant Protection 6225.00 5260.92 9920.00
(53.03)
Warangal 27
Guntur
28. Yield & Income Measures of Paddy Crop
Post CMSA Non
Post CMSA NPM
Yield and Income Pre CMSA NPM
Kharif Kharif
Total Cost of Cultivation 19300.73 25527.64 33675.65
Physical Yield Unit Main Product
54.78 65.96 65.95
(in Quintals)
Rate Rs Unit Main Product 722.30 1073.00 1053.00
Total Returns Main Product 39567.59 70775.08 69445.35
Total Returns By Product 2000.00 3750.00 3750.00
Gross Returns 41567.59 74525.08 73195.35
Net Returns 22266.86 48997.44 39519.70
Particulars NPM Non-NPM
Benefit Cost Ratio 2.92:1 2.17:1
Profitability 65.75% 53.99% 28
29. Yield & Income Measures of Chilly
Post CMSA Non
Yield and Income Pre CMSA Post CMSA NPM
NPM
Total Cost of Cultivation 51528.80 64649.38 83333.25
Physical Yield Unit Main Product
31.13 45.00 44.82
(in Quintals)
Rate Rs Unit Main Product 2875.00 4200.00 4200.00
Total Returns Main Product 89498.75 189000.00 188244.00
Total Returns By Product 0.00 0.00 0.00
Gross Returns 89498.75 189000.00 188244.00
Net Returns 37969.95 124350.62 104910.75
Particulars NPM Non-NPM
Benefit Cost Ratio 2.92:1 2.26:1
Profitability 65.79% 55.73% 29
30. Yield & Income Measures of Cotton
Post CMSA Non
Pre CMSA Post CMSA NPM
Yield and Income NPM
Total Cost of Cultivation 29598.50 38269.84 42711.60
Physical Yield Unit Main Product
28.63 32.00 31.37
(in Quintals)
Rate Rs Unit Main Product 2700.00 3500.00 3500.00
Total Returns Main Product 77301.00 112000.00 109795.00
Total Returns By Product 0.00 0.00 0.00
Gross Returns 77301.00 112000.00 109795.00
Net Returns 47702.50 73730.16 67083.40
Particulars NPM Non-NPM
Benefit Cost Ratio 2.93:1 2.57:1
Profitability 65.83% 61.10% 30
31. Improved Agricultural Incomes (Pre CMSA Compared
to Post CMSA farms)
Average Returns: District wise/ Farmer/ha.:
Average returns per farmer/ha. (Rs. per
S.N annum) Percent of Increase in
District
o Net Returns (in %)
Pre-CMSA Post-CMSA
1 Srikakulam 52,398. 80 55,596.84 6.10
2 Guntur 29,631.43 65,319.97 120
3 Nellore 37,976.19 72,894.48 91.94
4 Anantapur 15,333.54 25,493.16 66.25
5 Warangal 51,351.39 73,904.52 43.91
6 Medak 35.511.10 37,962.04 6.90
Note: A huge increase is observed in Guntur district due to the fact that the Chilly crop has had a high remunerative
price which has more than doubled.
31
