Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Parshottam Rupala lauded the role being played by the fertilizer cooperative IFFCO in the upliftment of farmers in the country at a function in Shirdi in Maharashtra. He said IFFCO’s neem-plantation campaign is a praiseworthy effort.
Rupala was addressing a National Conference of Agro Input Dealers Association at Shirdi which was attended by several VIPs. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, BJP MP Dileep Gandhi were some of the invitees. IFFCO’s Marketing Director Yogendra Kumar was also present on the occasion.
It was the first successful “Maha Adhiveshan” of the Association and it was held last week. The Adhiveshan also honoured IFFCO MD Dr U S Awasthi for his contributions to India’s agriculture sector over the years.
Speaking on the occasion, Rupala praised IFFCO for becoming involved in popularizing neem-cultivation across the country. In the Shirdi region alone, IFFCO has planted 2 lakh neem saplings in 2 years, read a tweet by its MD Dr Awasthi.
IFFCO has been active in tree-plantation for a long time with its Managing Director Dr U S Awasthi urging upon everyone to plant at least one tree and underlining their commitment to upholding the idea of ecological balance in the world.
IFFCO’s arm Indian Farm Forestry Development Cooperative (IFFDC) has already been active encouraging tree 
plantation to improve the living conditions of rural poor through sustainable Natural Resource Management by collective action.
According to an estimate, IFFCO has planted about 20 lakh neem trees so far. In the first year of the campaign alone, more than 10.4 lakh neem trees were planted.
Tweeting about Monday’s programme IFFCO MD wrote “Today @PRupala, Union Min of State for Panchayati Raj, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare addressed National Conference of Agro Input Dealers Association at Shirdi, #Maharashtra. Appreciated #IFFCO for farmers’ welfare & #Neem.”
Dr. Awasthi thanked the Association “I am glad to get the Letter Of Appreciation honouring my work & contribution to Indian agriculture industry by All India Agro Input Dealers Association “MahaAdhiveshan” at #Shirdi, #Maharashtra. @iffcoyogendra Marketing Director #IFFCO received it on my behalf.”
Feels good to now that Neem Tree has now getting the place it deserves and recognised at last as a wonderful Tree which not only gives shade and oxygen like other trees, but reduces Air pollution by absorbing certain pollutants from Atmosphere, prevents soil degradation and yields Neem Leaves, Flowers & Fruits which Indians have been using traditionally since thousands of years for various sectors like Medicine, Cosmetics, Agriculture, Veterinary, Mosquito Repellency, etc.. A single decision by the Present NDA Govt. to compulsory coat Urea with Neem Oil has led to the Neem Revolution in India thereby benefitting Rural India to great extent by way of generating employment ( especially for women ) , saved precious foreign Exchange by increasing Nitrogen availability to Soil thereby reducing Urea quantity imported, increased returns to Farmers by savings on Urea ans soil conditioners, stopping the illegal diversion of subsidised Urea to Chemical market, thereby saving Exchequer crores of rupees. –Milan Mehta, B.E ( Chem. ), Neem Tree Promoter & Specialist. Mumbai INDIA