Plan Verde NGO  recovering nature stopping desertification ensuring existence. Neem trees for the future. Neem trees are literally made for recultivating cleared landscapes. Its fast growth, its deep root system and excellent carbon dioxide balance render it a first choice climate meliorater. It stops erosion and creates plenty of resistance against the frequently recurring el Niño phenomenon in Peru. With it’s fast growing biomass rendering a stable protection against the wind the emaciated soils can regenerate fast and develop into fertile landscapes. Through its characteristics the Indian Neem tree is praised of being the solution to many global problems. All the more astounding we find the fact that its massive distribution was not accelerated so far, especially in poverty stricken regions.  Neem supplies an enormous biomass in very short time, of which all parts of the tree yield large profits. Even the extrusion cakes left from oil production, as well as the leaves, are a highly nutrient fodder and can be used as a fertilizer. Help us to give the Peruvian people some living quality. Why the Neem tree?  The Neem tree, lat. Azadirachta indica, belongs to the Mahagony family and originated in India, Pakistan and Burma. Because of its robust qualities it was spread by man through large parts oft he world. Its growth conditions are not limited to specific soil structures, as long as the ground is reasonably permeable. As such it tolerates good, substantial land as well as impoverished, sandy soil. It has a fairly high tolerance of temperatures.. At temperatures around 32° C the Neem tree feels best, but it tolerates temperatures up to 50°C. Below 5° C, the Neem tree loses its foliage and dies. The Neem tree is a very fast growing tree that can make up to 4m of growth per year under convenient circumstances. The evergreen plant reaches an average height of 15 to 20 m but can under special influence reach up to 35 m of height. Neem trees can reach an age of up to 200 years. The robust and impervious qualities of Neem Trees against drought make up its special character. Under peril, it can be happen that Neem trees cast off their foliage to survive. They can easily grow in regions with an average rainfall of 400 till 1200 mm of rain. They can get on with even less, if ground water is available. Their root systems consist of a strong main root growing vertically into the ground, easily reaching twice the high of the tree. The proceeding root system is not very much discharged but renders enough stability to the soil structure. The Neem tree is a plant with masculine and feminine flowers on one plant, carries fruit after four years of growth with seeds that germinate however for only for six weeks. Neem trees achieve their highest yield of fruit after ten years, when a tree can carry more than 50 kg of fruit. What are the main advantages of Neem trees for the rural population?  This project intends substantial schooling oft he rural population towards the best management of the trees, this being a constituent element of our work. Due to the rapid growth of Neem trees they can provide sufficient wood for use in many areas, in mid-term after 4-6 years. During this time only one part oft he trees should be used for wood, the other part must be kept for seed production with all its benefits. The firewood is useful for charcoal production, an essential means for preparing food. Whole parts of the tree can equally be used as firewood.. Depending on how food is prepared in the individual households. The wood is perfectly suited as a building material fort he construction of houses and stables, as it is resistant, due to it’s ingredients, against termites and parasites for about 40 years. The wood is also useful for ship building. From the first harvest, after approx. 4 years, oil is derived from the fruits. This oil can be useful in a large field of applications. It can be used in agriculture for fighting and preventing insects, nematodes, mites and fungi, also in cosmetic industry and as a natural healing remedy. Through schooling and establishing oil production facilities we can generate additional incomes. The oil cakes from oil production serve as a good fertilizer. A decoction of the Neem leaves can be used to repel insects with animals and provide better health for the animals. © by Plan Verde e.V.  2009 -2012 Webmaster: Stephan Krüger