India needs to raise plantation of neem trees to 140 million from current 20 million to help meet demand as well as reduce the rise in temperature, this was the view expressed at the World Neem Conference held in Delhi.
- The central government plans to increase the number of highly beneficial neem trees in the country from the existing one tree for every 50 Indians to one tree for every 10 Indians to meet the rising demand from different sectors for neem oil.
- Presently, India has 18-20 million neem trees in the country, of which 40-45 per cent are in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu, among others.
- To achieve the target, the number of neem trees has to rise to almost 140 million.
- Farmers can raise additional income from neem trees as it starts yielding fruits within 3-5 years, though good quality seeds can be harvested after 15 years.
- It has been observed that wherever neem trees are there, those areas are cooler by 3-5 °C from other areas.
- Neem, (Azadirachta indica), fast-growing tree of the mahogany family (Meliaceae), valued as a medicinal plant, as a source of organic pesticides, and for its timber.
- Neem is likely native to the Indian subcontinent.
