Ecobreves – CUBA: Natural Insecticide

By - - and IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

HAVANA, Jun 23 2002 (IPS) - – Farmers in the central Cuban province of Ciego de Avila have begun massive cultivation of the Nim tree (Azadirachta indica) to take advantage of its qualities as a pesticide. The plant, which comes from India, has several attributes, and with its seeds it is easy to produce an effective natural pesticide against 200 insects, including the 'bibijagua', a harmful Cuban ant that causes extensive damage to crops.

Furthermore, the rest of the seeds can be used to feed livestock and birds, while the tree's leaves are used to improve soil fertility. The Nim tree grows 20 to 25 meters tall and its wood is resistant to termites.

Several farm cooperatives in the province have planted the trees along the edges of their fields to use as windbreaks and as natural fences.