Even neem seeds fetch profit now
Bhopal: There once a saying in India “Aam ke aam, guthlion ke daam” meaning that besides mangoes, even their stones fetch profit. But, now neem seeds have won the race against mango stones. The Forest Department’s Khargone office has decided to purchase 107 tonnes of neem seeds from tribals. These seeds will be used at neem oil expeller plant being set up at Khargone. Forest Minister Sartaj Singh will inaugurate the plant on September 2.
Giving information about neem oil expeller plant, Forest Minister Shri Sartaj Singh said that in the first phase, 1000 quintals of neem seeds worth Rs. five lakh 62 thousand has been purchased from tribals. The plant will bring about socio-economic and environmental benefits in the area. The plant is estimated to generate 13 thousand 775 mandays of employment. Shri Singh informed that generally May-June is the season of neem seeds. They fall from trees and decay. But with establishment of neem oil expeller plant, it will not be so now. The Forest Department will purchase neem seeds from tribal through Village Forest Committees. The residues after of neem seeds called neem cake after expulsion of oil at the neem expeller plant will be used as organic manure. Neem cakes are much in demand as insecticide. Neem oil is also used as a medicine. Demand of neem oil by pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies is increasing constantly. Collection, treatment, storage and transportation of neem seeds will lead to local people’s economic upliftment.
Neem seed oil expeller plant at Khargone has been set up at a cost of Rs. 17 lakh. It has been established by Madhya Pradesh Forest Department under scheme sanctioned by the Central Government.
