TO KNOW ABOUT About Neem Foundation IN India

About Neem Foundation

WHO ARE WE? WHAT ARE OUR OBJECTIVES? WHAT DO WE DO? HOW ARE WE FUNDED? ARE WE LINKED TO ANY BUSINESS INTERESTS? WHO SUPPORTS US? CURRENT PROJECTS Who Are We ? Neem Foundation is a voluntary, independent, non-profit organization. More importantly, it is a people’s movement - an initiative that involves ordinary citizens of the world. The Neem Foundation is a forum for individuals and institutions who would like to make a difference. It is a platform for people, who would like to see the world return to nature for answers; who would like to lend their mite to fight poisoning of our soil, pollution of air and ground water and desertification. The Neem Foundation strives to popularize simple, natural solutions and help people raise their voices till the authorities respond to stop the exploitation of the earth by commercial interests. It is the apex body of all Neem movements around the world. Neem Foundation was established in 1993 and registered under Public Trust Registrations Act 1950 vide Registration Certificate Number E 14825-(BOM) 23-11-93 GBBSD. It is supported by leading scientists and environmentalists engaged in Neem related research. What Are Our Objectives ? The Neem Foundation is dedicated to the task of promoting the Neem Tree as a sustainable solution to global ecological and health concerns. The efforts of the Foundation are aimed to build on natural alternatives to ensure the health and well-being of man, animal, plant and environment. The main objectives of the Foundation are : To promote awareness about neem and other botanical alternatives. To sensitize National and International Agencies and Governments to the need to accelerate registration and support natural alternatives like Neem. To promote practices for total sustainable human development. To bridge the gap between research & industry. To establish a premier research center for Neem. To work jointly and collectively with like-minded organizations to facilitate linkage development. What Do We Do ? Over the years the Neem Foundation has emerged as a forum for unifying global efforts to research and promote the use of the Neem tree and its derivatives in both natural and product forms. It would be the first step in bringing the tangible benefits of neem centre stage. The Neem Foundation strives to : Revive the usage of Neem in day to day life. Provide correct and extensive information on neem Encourage communities to plant and nurture neem. Teach farmers how to make natural neem pest control formulas and fertilizers for their fields. Organize and address seminars and workshops. Network with other NGO's worldwide to popularize neem. Initiate and co-ordinate research. Lobby with Authorities worldwide, to expedite registration procedures for bio-pesticides. Sensitize government authorities to formulate an integrated policy frame work to address the constraints in the development and growth of this important resource. Disseminate neem information through its website, publications as well as through its demonstration and development centre in Nagpur. Convince industry to invest in neem. How Are We Funded? For day-to-day activities of the Trust comes through membership subscriptions, donations and contributions of the Trustees. Besides this the Foundation is funded by the Government of India for implementing specific projects for the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Ministry of Agriculture etc. Are We Linked To Any Business Interests ? The Foundation encourages Neem based enterprises as a whole and has ties with the industry in general. Several companies are connected to the Foundation through Corporate Membership. However, the Foundation has no commercial interests in any company or business. Who Supports Us ? Environmentally conscious individuals, scientists, researchers, farmers NGO’s and voluntary agencies and industry support the Foundation. The Foundation also enjoys the support of various educational and environmental organizations through an informal network. International Consultative Committee Dr. H. Schmutterer - Germany Dr. Murray Isman - Canada Dr. David Morgan - UK Prof. Malcolm Wegener - Australia Mr. Serafin Tella Olivares – Mexico Mr. M. Nishimura – Japan Ms. Francesca Teghini – Italy Dr. Dou Dou Faye – Senegal Mr. Andrew van der Esch – Italy Mr. Arnold Ruiter – Netherlands Mr. Amnon Ofen - Israel National Consultative Committee Vaidya Suresh Chaturvedi - Chairman Dr. N. G. Hegde Dr. H. M. Behl Dr. B. Venkateshwarlu Ms. Kalpana D. Gandhi Dr. S. S. Chousalkar Dr. R. M. Mogre Dr. Nirrmala Kotharii Dr. B. S. Gill Mr. Man Mohan Mehta Dr. Ruparao Gahukar Ms. Nita Nawalkha Ms. Usha Chandrashekhar Advisory Board Dr. B.N. Vyas Ms. Shyamala Verdia Ms. Smita Singhvi Smt. Rohini Devi Dr. Nirrmala Kotharii Ms. Pramila Thakkar – Managing Trustee, Ex-officio Member Current Projects Since 1998, the Foundation has been implementing a programme for farmers in rural Maharashtra, India to assist them to grow and use Neem for Pest Management and as a fertilizer for their fields. The programme involves more than 3000 farming families spread over more than 100 villages. This basic programme now needs to be expanded to cover a wider range of environmental, technical, social and health aspects of Neem’s potential. A concrete step in this direction has been the setting up of a NEEM RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE. Village Gondkhairy, a tiny hamlet about 20 kms from Nagpur city is the location of this centre. The green surroundings serve as the base for organic farming studies as well as Neem Seed Processing and demonstration activities. It is hoped that this centre will soon emerge as a single window facility for neem technologies for farmers, researchers and entrepreneurs. The technical training to be offered at NEEM RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE is scientific methods for neem seed collection, processing and storage. Organic farming using neem inputs combined with earth friendly technologies like vermiculture etc.