Neemastra
Neemastra is a traditional fermented botanical biopesticide originally developed in India under the Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) approach. It is made using neem leaves (Azadirachta indica), cow dung, cow urine, and water - all natural farm derived materials.
Neemastra works as an eco-friendly insecticide, repellent, and growth inhibitor, mainly against sucking pests (aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies), leaf-eating caterpillars, and certain fungal pathogens.
It offers farmers a low-cost, low-impact, and locally adaptable alternative to synthetic pesticides, fitting well within integrated pest management (IPM) or organic farming strategies.
NEEM - Azadirachta indica ; ASTRA - Weapon
Description
NEEMASTRA
Introduction
Neemastra is a traditional fermented botanical biopesticide originally developed in India under the Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) approach. It is made using neem leaves (Azadirachta indica), cow dung, cow urine, and water - all natural farm derived materials.
Neemastra works as an eco-friendly insecticide, repellent, and growth inhibitor, mainly against sucking pests (aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies), leaf-eating caterpillars, and certain fungal pathogens.
It offers farmers a low-cost, low-impact, and locally adaptable alternative to synthetic pesticides, fitting well within integrated pest management (IPM) or organic farming strategies.
NEEM - Azadirachta indica ; ASTRA - Weapon
Composition and active principles
Typical ingredients (traditional Indian recipe):For 1ha
- 5 kg neem leaves (rich in azadirachtin and other limonoids)
- 2 kg fresh cow dung (microbial inoculant and nutrient source)
- 5 litres cow urine (contains nitrogen and enzymes aiding fermentation)
- Water (to make up 100 litres total)
The active molecules are primarily limonoids (especially azadirachtin, salannin, and nimbin), which:
- disrupt insect growth and molting,
- inhibit feeding and egg-laying,
- and repel the insects
Cow dung and urine act as fermentation catalysts, producing microbial metabolites that enhance bioactivity.
Preparation and Formulation
Traditional Method (India) :
- Crush neem leaves or small branches.
- Mix with cow dung and cow urine in a clean barrel.
- Add water (to 100 L total volume) and cover it.
- Stir once daily for 24-48 hours (fermentation).
- Filter before spraying.
- Froath is found on the fermented solution.
The fermented liquid is usually diluted 1:10 (10%) before application.
- This is for warm, humid, subtropical field conditions where fermentation occurs rapidly.(mostly Indian climate)
- In temperate climate, fermentation may take longer (2–4 days at 20 °C) and should ideally be kept in a warm shed or greenhouse during preparation.(France climate)
Crops and Pests Targeted
Neemastra can be used against most of the lepidopteran larvaes and sucking pests like aphids, jassids, mealy bugs, thrips, whiteflies and it can be applied on a wide range of fruits and vegetables.
Modes of Action
- Feeding deterrent - insects avoid feeding on treated leaves.
- Growth regulator - interferes with molting and development.
- Reproduction blocker -inhibits egg laying and fertility.
- Repellent-drives pests away from treated zones.
- Mild antifungal / antibacterial -reduces fungal spore germination (not its primary use).
- Unlike synthetic pesticides, Neemastra works gradually, aiming to reduce pest pressure rather than kill instantly. This favors ecological balance and preserves beneficial insects. It acts like a prevention step.
Recommended Use and Application
- Application method: foliar spray (hand sprayer or mist blower).
- Dilution: typically 1:10 (10 L Neemastra in 100 L water).
- Timing: early morning or late afternoon, avoiding direct sun and rain.
- Frequency: every 7-10 days during pest outbreaks.
- Storage: up to 15 days in a cool, shaded place.
- With lower average temperatures and humidity, Neemastra residues persist slightly longer on foliage - meaning lower frequency of spraying may be sufficient compared to tropical climates.
Timing Matters
As the solution is low persistent, because of photodegradation and microbial breakdown, residual activity may be short. It means timing of spray is important (morning/late afternoon, little direct sun) and frequency may need adjustment for climate.
For instance, in a study azadirachtin on strawberries showed rapid degradation under sunlight. So, timing really matters.
Safety and Environmental Aspects
- Biodegradable and non-toxic to mammals and birds.
- Low toxicity to pollinators and beneficial insects when used properly.
- Use basic protection (gloves, mask) during spraying.
- Avoid mixing with strong alkaline or synthetic pesticides.
Neemastra’s ecological profile makes it ideal for transitioning farms seeking to reduce chemical load and preserve soil and biodiversity.
Cost and Accessibility
In India, Neemastra costs almost nothing - farmers make it themselves. In France, neem leaves could be imported or substituted with locally available botanicals.
If scaled up, local cooperatives could ferment batches for regional use, maintaining low costs and traceability.
Advantages
- 100% natural, biodegradable and low risk for mammals and birds.
- Compatible with organic farming and agro-ecology.
- Low cost if materials are locally available or if production can be done on-farm or cooperatively.
- Offers a preventive strategy rather than reactive high-dose synthetic pesticide.
Limitations & Considerations
- Slower acting compared to synthetic insecticides; effect may not be immediate.
- Shorter residual life (due to sunlight degradation) will likely require more frequent application under high pest pressure.
- Studies show low mortality of natural enemies at lower doses, but harmful effects at higher/double doses include reduced fertility and developmental abnormalities in some experiments. To combat the situation it is important to apply when pollinators are not foraging. Also avoid direct spraying on flowering parts when bees are active.
- Requires correct preparation and application technique (fermentation, filtration, dilution) to work well.
- Materials (neem leaves, cow dung/urine) may be less commonly available in European settings; adaptation (imported neem, or local equivalents) may be required.
- In environments with vulnerable individuals (e.g. pregnant persons working in fields), additional precaution is warranted - limiting direct exposure, using protective gear, etc.[1]
Régulation in Europe
Azadirachtin is an approved active substance in Europe under EU Plant Protection Products Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009), so azadirachtin-based formulations can be authorised for usage.But a new neem-leaf product like neemastra must either follow the full authorisation route or fit into EU specific simplified category to be legal for the usage.
Success stories from different locations in India
Success Story 1 - Organic rice (field): control of rice-butterfly / leaf-roller larvae
- Location & conditions: Field rice under warm, humid Kharif season (reported trial conditions ≈ 25-34 °C, high relative humidity).
- Crop & pest: Rice; lepidopteran larvae (rice butterfly / leaf-rollers) causing “dead-heart” and “white ear” symptoms.
- Product & application: Neemastra (fermented neem formulation) applied as foliar spray during active larval period; standard field application schedule used in the trial.
- Outcome: Neemastra gave the best reduction in larval counts among several plant-based treatments in the study. Damage (dead-heart / white ear) and larval incidence were significantly reduced.
- Practical takeaways: Use Neemastra as an early preventive foliar spray when egg hatch / early larvae are observed; works best under warm, humid rice seasons when re-application may be needed according to pest pressure.
Success Story 2 - Mustard (rapeseed) - improved growth and reduced pest incidence
- Location & conditions: Rabi season trials in lower Gangetic plains (cooler-warm conditions typical of winter-spring cycle).
- Crop & pest: Indian mustard (Brassica spp.); trials measured growth, yield and pest incidence under organic management.
- Product & application: Foliar application of Neemastra (sprayed three times during crop cycle) integrated with organic manures.
- Outcome: Plots receiving Neemastra sprays recorded higher seed yield compared to untreated control and some conventional nutrient regimes (trial reported measurable yield increases attributed to better pest suppression and crop health).
- Practical takeaways: Neemastra foliar sprays can be integrated with organic nutrient management to reduce pest damage and support yield-useful on oilseed crops with moderate pest pressure in cooler-to-moderate temperatures.
Success Story 3 -Castor crop (field): reduced pest counts and safety to natural enemies[2]
- Location & conditions: Field trials in Andhra Pradesh (hot Kharif conditions; typical daytime temps often 25–35 °C during trials).
- Crop & pest: Castor; commonly attacked by caterpillars and sucking pests (aphids, jassids, etc.).
- Product & application: Neemastra (20% in trial) compared with Brahmastra, Agniastra and Neem Seed Kernel Extract (NSKE 5%); foliar sprays applied per trial schedule. (Brahmastra, Agniastra are other organic solutions similar to neemastra but the components are different).
- Outcome: Neemastra and NSKE significantly reduced pest populations on castor; importantly, Neemastra showed lower negative impact on natural enemies (predators/parasitoids) compared with broad-spectrum chemicals -enabling faster recovery of beneficials.
- Practical takeaways: For castor and similar field crops, Neemastra provides effective pest suppression while conserving natural enemies .
“Neem is a farmer’s silent doctor”
Références
- Subha B, RS Marabi, SB Das, Kailash Chaukikar and Vikas Gupta. Bio-efficacy of biodynamics and botanicals against major insect pests of summer green gram and their impact on natural enemies. Int. J. Adv. Biochem. Res. 2025;9(9):263-266. DOI: 10.33545/26174693.2025.v9.i9d.5584.
- Caboni P, Sarais G, Angioni A, Garcia AJ, Lai F, Dedola F, Cabras P. Residues and persistence of neem formulations on strawberry after field treatment. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Dec 27;54(26):10026-32. doi: 10.1021/jf062461v. PMID: 17177537.
- Lingampally, V., Solanki, V.R. and Raja, S.S., Reasons led to reconsideration of botanicals as stored grain insect pest control agents.
- Deewan, P., Rajhans Verma, D.P., Aechra, S. and Narolia, R.K., 2025. Natural Farming: A promising Approach for Agriculture. JUST AGRICULTURE PUBLICATIONS.
- Zala, P.H., Kalsariya, B.N. and Kapuriya, T.D., IDENTIFICATION OF NATURAL FARMING PRACTICES ADOPTED BY FARMERS.
- Megha Chandraker, Gajendra Chandrakar, Bheesham Kumar and Rupendra Patel. Bio-efficacy of plant-based materials against major insect pest under organic rice cultivation system. Int. J. Adv. Biochem. Res. 2025;9(9):488-494.
- Pati, S., Banerjee, S., Ghosh, M., Debnath, P. and Dolui, S., 2023. Effect of organic manure and neemastra on growth and yield of Indian mustard varieties in Lower Gangetic Plains of West Bengal.
- Kumar, G.S. and Sarada, O., 2020. Evaluation of cow based fermented organic products for non-insecticidal pest management in castor. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 9(10), pp.292-300.
- Kilani-Morakchi, S., Morakchi-Goudjil, H. and Sifi, K., 2021. Azadirachtin-based insecticide: Overview, risk assessments, and future directions. Frontiers in agronomy, 3, p.676208.
- Cura, M.S. and Gençer, N.S., 2019. Side effects of azadirachtin on some important beneficial insects in laboratory. Journal of Biological and Environmental Sciences, 13(37), pp.39-47.
Cette technique s'applique aux cultures suivantes
La technique limite la présence des auxiliaires et bioagresseurs suivants
La technique est complémentaire des techniques suivantes
La technique est incompatible avec les techniques suivantes
Cette technique utilise le matériel suivants
- ↑ Rameez, S. P., & Ray, S. (2023). Neemastra: Green Solution Controlling Pest. Just Agriculture, 4(2), 228-231.
- ↑ Kumar, G.S. and Sarada, O., 2020. Evaluation of cow based fermented organic products for non-insecticidal pest management in castor. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 9(10), pp.292-300.
