Bio-pesticidal Properties of Neem (Azadirachta indica)

Consequence upon the geometrically rising world population and the increasing pressure on food
items, it has become increasingly necessary to increase food production from the present level. The
possibility of achieving this is not only to increase production but also to protect the crops cultivated.
Crop protection can be achieved through several means. One of such is the use of pesticides. This
paper therefore reviews the use of neem extracts as bio-pesticides among other plant species with
inherent pesticidal activities. It is no doubt that the chemical pesticides or insecticides possess
inherent toxic substances that endangers the ecological environment, operators of application
equipment, soil microbiota and consumers of the agricultural products. It is therefore important that we
encourage the use of biological pesticides as they affect only target pest, are easily biodegradable,
increase farm land fertility, environmentally friendly, cost effective and ease of availability. It is also
important that because of the low cost of production of bio-pesticides it should be encouraged as an
option in African countries especially Nigeria in agricultural practices. The practice of farmers making
their own neem-based products for pest control would reduce their dependence on external inputs for
agriculture. It would also reduce their cost of pest control to almost zero, leaving only labour as a
potential expenditure item. Pests can also be controlled without the use of toxic chemical pesticides,
which will reduce the harm posed to humans and the environment alike. There is wide scope for
innovation in developing neem as an efficient bio-pesticide. There is enough information to encourage
the use of different neem extracts. With the increasing trend of using bio fertilizers, insecticides and
pesticides, neem should be increasingly cultivated and grown all over the world to get active
ingredient-azadirachtin, responsible for stopping the growth cycle of pests. Neem is also assuming a
lot of importance in crop management. Considering the fact that neem is not only a cheaper, naturally
occurring product and an effective method to control pests and insects, but also has no side effects on
plants or other living beings especially soil micro biota.