Issue No 6, July 1996.

NOTICE: Hard copies of the Australian New Crops Newsletter are available from the publisher, Dr Rob Fletcher. Details of availability are included in the Advice on Publications Available.

11. Survey of neem plantings in Australia

Prior to the Fifth World Neem Conference at the University of Queensland Gatton College, in February 1996 (the subject of reports in a later section of this newsletter), a number of people known to have bought neem trees were surveyed by a Fourth Year student at the University of Queensland Gatton College, Miss Fiona Anderson. She wished to ascertain their views of the neem tree and the neem industry in Australia. This report summarises the 29 responses received.

Those surveyed had first heard of neem through word of mouth (13), magazines and newspapers (10), conferences (9), TV (4), radio (3) and books (3). A total of 24 respondents had neem trees planted but only five respondents had more than 20 trees planted.

The intended use for the trees was for pesticide (14), as an experiment or for observation purposes (6), for shade (4), for oil extraction (4), as a repellent or in companion plantings (3), and for nursery stock, timber, reclamation, tissue culture or medicinal purposes (2 each). One respondent simply loved trees.

The trees were propagated by seedlings 15-20 cm tall (18 cases), direct seeding (5), young trees (5), tissue culture (1) and cuttings (1 case). Plantings were first made in 1988, with most activity over the past four years. Several respondents have planted more trees each year.

Of the 29 respondents, 8 indicated they were happy with the growth rates of the trees and 8 were not happy. Reasons given for the poor growth rates included drought (5), frost (3) and low fertiliser/poor soil (3).

Respondents received advice about management practices from written material (14), knowledgeable people (2) or other growers (2). At least 14 respondents used their own ideas with respect to the management of neem trees.

The final four questions asked were concerned with the growers' perceptions of the neem industry:

What do you feel about the future of the neem industry?
Viable and secure	0
Market still developing	15
Unsure of commercial viability	11
What do you intend to do in the future in relation to neem?
Plant more neem trees	14
Wait and see	8
Don't know	4
What contribution should research personnel be making to the neem industry?
Pesticide research for registration purposes	14
Marketing	5
Industry support	3
Processing development	3
Planting/growing techniques	3
Varieties	2
Pharmacology	2
What contribution should commercial interests be making to the neem industry?
Research support	7
Grower support	4
Processing support	4
Public education	2
Justification of contributions	1
Development of organic industry	1

(One grower described how the spur-throated locust had eaten everything available, apart from the neem trees; the locusts would not even sit upon the neem trees).

In conclusion, there appear to be no truly commercial plantings of neem, yet. Many respondents were not happy with the availability of information about neem and half the respondents were not happy with the growth responses achieved with the trees.

Respondents were uncertain about the commercial value and future of neem. Most plan to plant more trees but many wished there was a local processing facility. Growers wanted to see more work towards registration of neem as a pesticide and support from the industry towards the research sector.

Any claims made by authors in the Australian New Crops Newsletter are presented by the Editors in good faith. Readers would be wise to critically examine the circumstances associated with any claims to determine the applicability of such claims to their specific set of circumstances. This material can be reproduced, with the provision that the source and the author (or editors, if applicable) are acknowledged and the use is for information or educational purposes. Contact with the original author is probably wise since the material may require updating or amendment if used in other publications. Material sourced from the Australian New Crops Newsletter cannot be used out of context or for commercial purposes not related to its original purpose in the newsletter

Contact: Dr Rob Fletcher, School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland Gatton College, 4345; Telephone: 07 5460 1311 or 07 5460 1301; Facsimile: 07 5460 1112; International facsimile: 61 7 5460 1112; Email: r.fletcher@mailbox.uq.edu.au

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originally created by: GK; latest update 6 June 1999 by: RF