By Mustapha Shettima, Alfaya Jibrilla, Mohammed Usman Umar
INTRODUCTION
Neem tree are attractive broad-leaved evergreens that can reach a height of 30 meters and root of 2.5 meters. Their spreading branches form rounded crowns as much as 20 meters across. They retain their leaves except during extreme drought when the leaves may fall. The short trained truck has produce suckers. The suckering tends to be very prolific in dry localities.
Neem was first introduced to Nigeria in 1928 when it was successfully established in the Borno Province. Several thousands of seedlings from the first plantation were replanted in Sokoto, katsina and Kano provinces in the 1930s. Neem was also successfully established by sowing fresh seed directly into shelter of indigenous vegetation and local food crops. Consequently, there were considerable plantations of neem tree for firewood and construction materials throughout northern Nigeria.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FROM NEEM TREES
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Investments opportunities that can generate wealth from the neem are numerous. Various parts of the neem tree, if properly developed and processed, are sources of short term, medium- and long-term investments. Below are some of the uses listed:
AS MEDICINAL
Since antiquity, neem has been renowned for healing and the tree therefore commands a special status particular in Indo-Pakistan region where it is regarded as “village dispensary”
ANTI-MALARIA
Practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine system have been preparing neem in oral doses for malaria patients for centuries. Even in Nigeria, neem-leaf tea is used to treat malaria. A compound, gednum, is another limonoid found to be as effective as quinine against malaria parasites.
AS FUNGICIDE
Neem preparations have proved effective against fungal infections especially athletes’ foot, ringworm, lesions in mouth, vaginal, skin etc.
AS ANTIBACTERIAL AGENT
Neem oil was reported to have suppressed staphylococcus aureus common source of food poisoning – salmonella typhosa, the much-feared bacterium which lives in water & food, causing typhoid fever.
ANTIVIRAL AGENT
- Neem preparations have also been speculated to have antiviral activity. Is efficiency against poxviruses is strongly believed even among the medical personnel.
- Small pox, chicken pox and warts have traditionally been treated with paste of neem leaves-usually rubbed on the infected skin.
AS DENTAL CARE AGENT
- Millions of people in Africa use twinges as “tooth brush” every day.
- Dentists have endorsed this ancient practice, finding it effective in preventing periodontal disease.
CURRENT STATUS OF UTILIZATION OF NEEM TREE
Available evidence showed that the neem tree is currently underutilized in Nigeria. To date, utilization of the tree has been mainly in the fight against desertification through reforestation effort. The second major areas of utility is as firewood and timber for construction purposes. The potential of this tree to provide raw materials for fungicides, fertilizers, oil, soaps, cosmetics and other medicinal values.
RMRDC PROPOSALS FOR ENHANCING INVESTMENTS FOR OPTIMAL UTILIZATION OF NEEM TREE
To enhance rapid transformation of neem to wealth in Nigeria, the following are suggested:
- A detailed assessment and quantification of existing neem plantations in the country;
- RMRDC to initiate and sponsor the development of the various production processes of the various products derivable from the neem tree;
- An assessment of both the technical requirements and economic viability of these production processes;
- Where 3 above is viable, duplication of the production sites as pilot projects to convince prospective investors in the six geopolitical zones of the country.
- Vigorous plantation establishment of neem tree in the country through:
- Free seedlings to farmers to encourage both private and community participation in plantation establishment;
- Legislation to enforce annual plantation establishment of neem trees at local government level throughout the country.
CONCLUSION
This report has shown that the neem tree, when properly managed, is a source of wealth. To date the potentials of the neem tree has been underutilized in Nigeria. To maximize and transform neem to wealth, other potential benefits from neem should be exploited.
However, to encourage private participation in exploiting neem, RMRDC should sponsor demonstration pilot schemes to convince and attract private participation in the neem project. One of the overall impacts will be poverty alleviation due to job creation consequent upon the establishment of neem- dependent small, medium and large-scale industries.
Article compiled by RMRDC Borno 360 Team
