State-run Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GNFC) started its socio-economic Neem Project, inaugurated by Union Minister Smriti Irani Kathaura – Jagdishpur in Amethi District on Friday.

GNFC intends to collect 8,000 to 10,000 MT Neem seeds from the State. It is estimated to provide additional income of Rs 12-15 crore for over one lakh rural woman from 2,500 villages in the State.

Inaugurating the project, Irani lauded GNFC’s efforts for generating additional income for rural poor, especially women. “Considering widespread presence 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,” Irani said.

Since 2015, GNFC, through its Neem Project has collected over 45,000 tonnes of neem seeds by engaging 4.5 lakh rural women in over 60 districts of five states including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan.

Earlier an MoU was inked with IFFCO to expand this project in UP. Neem project will be implemented in around 15 districts of Uttar Pradesh including Allahabad, Pratapgarh, Sultanpur, Sitapur, Lakhimpur, kheri, Jhansi, Hardoi, Barabanki, Farrukhabad & Raebareli, Kaushambi, Amethi, Raebareli, Ambedakarnagar among others.

Using Neem as a key ingredient, GNFC has started producing Neem oil-based products such as Neem soap, handwash, shampoo, hair oil, facewsah, Neem mosquito repellent, Neem pesticide & Neem organic manure.

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