Dehradun: A non-exclusive license agreement was signed between the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun and various firms to commercially multiply released varieties of Melia Dubia (Malabar neem) and Neem.
According to a press release, the license agreement was signed by Dr. Renu Singh, Director, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, and representatives of three multiplication firms including Shri Sanjay Tandon, M/s Eco Harvest Carbon Alliance, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Shri Manish Kumar, M/s Brinda Agro, Shamli, Uttar Pradesh and Shri Satendra Kumar, M/s Beej Tech Growery, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.
The FRI is involved in developing tree varieties
The Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, which is one of the pioneering research institutes of India, is involved in developing and releasing tree varieties for faster returns through agroforestry. Continuing its efforts in this direction, The FRI has released ten varieties of Malabar Neem through Govt. of India.
FRI expects enhancement in the supply of quality planting stock of tree species grown by the farmers
The release said the efforts of FRI are expected to contribute substantially to the supply of quality planting stock of tree species grown by the farmers in their farmlands along with agriculture crops. Similarly, six released cultivars of Neem were released with an ability to flower and fruit at an early age of 2 to 3 years itself, which usually happens after 6 years of age or even more. “The average oil content of released cultivars has been recorded to be 38.44 % with higher chemical composition of azadirachtin i.e., 8523 ppm against 27 % and 3200 ppm, respectively in unimproved plantations,” the release mentioned.
Bridging gap between demand and supply of neem oil
Once planted commercially, released cultivars are expected to play an important role in bridging the gap between demand and supply of neem oil. According to the release, after the decision of Government of India (2015) to produce 100 % neem coated urea, as triterpenes delay transformation of ammoniacal and nitrate nitrogen, demand of neem oil increased substantially. The research was necessitated as present availability of about 3000 tonnes of neem oil is just sufficient to coat about 15 to 20 % urea produced in India. It was in this direction that IFFCO had roped-in
The signing of license agreement would be helpful in the supply of genetically improved planting stock to the farmers and enhance productivity substantially of commercial trees under agroforestry.
