Status report on global Neem usage - Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal

4. NEEM IN DEVELOPMENT-COOPERATION PROJECTS
SUDAN
It is <strong>report</strong>ed that Prof. Schmutterer first noticed in 1959 the insecticidal properties of neem
during an invasion of locust in a desert of Sudan, where he consequently started his investigations.
Millions of neem trees provided a good base for this kind of work which was
later continued by Prof. Siddig and his team.
Agricultural Research Cooperation – ARC & National Centre for Research - NRC
In the late 60s the ARC started to carry out basic research with crude neem water extracts
against vegetable pests. This research formed the base for a national country wide programme
started in the late eighties and ending in 1996. Today sporadic research studies of
Universities such as the one from Khartoum, Gezira and Kudufan is carried out.
Main target pest are okra, tomato, egg plant, cucumber and potato, where neem is applied
as an integral part of the IPM concept.
ARC is currently investigating the insecticidal properties of neem leaves of different vegetative
growth stage and neem leave powder to control the parasitic weed Orobanche ramosa.
NRC and the Environmental and Natural Resources Research Institute (ENRRI) have implemented
a research programme to provide farmers with stable commercial and readily
available natural pesticides from neem which is fitting into IPM concepts. The programme
include testing of products in the field on vegetables and cotton, improving extraction procedures
with HPLC and TLC, improve formulations to stabilize and improve shelf life of the
product. In addition synergistic effects if mixed with synthetic pesticides are investigated.
Some research on the use of neem cake as fertilizer or for cattle feed complete the scenario.
Gezira University
At Gezira University silvicultural aspects of neem are investigated such as the effect of
ecological factors on the growth and development of neem and the chemically defined constituents.
Sudanese-German IPM GTZ-Project
The project activities comprised of research in the field of fruit and vegetable production,
awareness campaign and training of extensionists and small farmer in Khartoum State.
Similar were the activities of CARE international in West Sudan and FAO/ARC which include
neem water extracts in the Farmers Field School approach carried our in Khartoum
State.
The NARMAP – GTZ project promoted the planting of neem tree as a income generation
activity in its rural development programme.
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