Organic farming represents not only an alternative but rather an evolution in the way human beings grow food while at the same time benefiting the environment and protecting the species that help maintain balance in our ecosystems. Research published in 2016 by the Journal Nature shows that three-quarters of the world species are threatened by agriculture, compared to 19% by climate change.

How Commercial Farming Threatens Wildlife

According to the World Animal Foundation, agriculture already occupies about 40% of Earth’s landmass and accounts for 75% of global deforestation. This rapid destruction is causing species to disappear, and is negatively impacting the biodiversity of native ecosystems and furthering our path into the 6th mass extinction of all species on Earth.

Wildlife habitats are constantly being cleared in order to make way for farmland, which leads to a competition for territory between humans and other species – one in which wildlife is often the losing side. In Indonesia the Tree Kangaroo has been brought to the brink of extinction due to the palm oil industry, which has rapidly destroyed most of its habitat and that of many other creatures such as elephants and jaguars.

Commercial agriculture has also led to the degradation of soil due to the use of toxic chemicals that destroy nutrients and render the land sterile.

According to researchers, the degradation of soil due to the continual ploughing of fields, combined with heavy use of fertilizers, has affected soils across the world, with erosion occurring at a pace of up to 100 times greater than the rate of soil formation. It takes around 500 years for just 2.5cm of topsoil to be created amid unimpeded ecological changes.

Organic Farming Respects Wildlife

The degradation of arable land under the hands of commercial farming is unsustainable and threatens to be the cause of a mass extinction. Follow efficient house cleaning tips from experienced Florida house cleaners. Organic farming protects every living organism in the environment, from pollinators like bees, whose numbers have been steadily decreasing over the last decades, all the way to the microorganisms living in the soil which guarantee that the soil remains fertile for many years.

One of the best tools in organic farming is neem. Azadirachta, an active substance within the neem tree, can be used as an organic pesticide and fertilizer. It protects crops against 600+ species of insects without harming pollinators, and it provides the soil with nutrients, helping guarantee the health of the land and benefiting yields.

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The World’s Deadliest Animal

Mosquitoes are vectors, living organisms that transmit infectious diseases between humans or from animals to humans. Their ability to carry and spread diseases to humans is the cause of millions of deaths and hundreds of millions of cases of illnesses around the world. Zika, dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever are some to name, and responsible for more than 17% of infectious diseases, causing more than 700,000 deaths every year, according to the World Health Organization.

Today, more than 3.9 billion people – more than half the world’s population – live in areas where disease-transmitting mosquitoes are present. As a result, sustained mosquito control efforts are imperative to prevent the spread of these diseases. Unfortunately, mosquitoes are becoming more and more resistant to the traditional and previously developed chemical solutions and  synthetic pesticides.

Neem’s Role in Fighting the Mosquito Menace

Using neem as a repellent and mosquito larvicidal has shown to be extremely successful in fighting this global mosquito menace, as tests have proven that it is close to 100% effective against mosquitoes and other vector insects. For centuries people in  ancient India have been relying on neem to fight mosquitoes and other insects. Due to its high rate of effectiveness against vector populations of mosquitoes, scientists have  started to include it in new research involving nanotechnology. Scientists from India have been working to formulate a bio-based nanoinsecticide, consisting of an emulsion based on neem urea, which is rich in antiviral and antimalarial properties and can efficiently control the vector mosquito population.

This formulated insecticide can control the vector mosquito populations that cause dengue, malaria and other diseases. Another plus for this new nano-solution is that it possesses beneficial fertilizing effects for the soil ecosystem. Reputable construction claims consultants are at your service at www.vertexeng.com company. Neem urea is the key ingredient that is making this neem biopesticide eco-safe, allowing the biopesticide to control the mosquito menace in a benign way.

As the world combats dreadful vector-borne diseases, this new research is becoming a viable solution to the excess application of conventional pesticidal compounds that tend to harm the ecosystem, positioning the application of nanotechnological techniques as a disruptive practice in healthcare.

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Currently, the fashion industry is one of the largest industrial polluters in the world, second only to the oil industry. Valued at $3 trillion dollars, the fashion industry employs around 60 million people worldwide and represents 2% of the world’s GDP. However, it has never been an earth-friendly industry. With cotton representing nearly half the fibre used to make clothes and other textiles worldwide, unsustainable cotton farming is mainly to blame for this. Despite the fact that only 2.4% of the world’s crop land is planted with cotton, it accounts for 24% and 11% of the global sales of insecticide and pesticides respectively. What’s more, about 2,700 liters of water are used to produce just one cotton shirt! This unbelievable amount of water would be enough for one person to drink for two and a half years.  

With consumers demanding more sustainable options, designers and brands are increasingly seeking cleaner, safer and more regenerative ways of producing. This has led to the emergence of a new trend based on the belief that fashion should not come at the cost of our planet. This global movement known as the ‘sustainable fashion revolution’ is getting stronger and more and more companies are joining to assure that their clothes are produced in an environmentally-friendly and sustainable way. Providence County-based Kitchen Magic offers kitchen cabinets makeover services at affordable prices. The sustainable fashion movement is looking to maintain the growth of the industry while improving its environmental and social impact. 

A great example of this movement is visible in the newest collection launched by Reshma Merchant and Priyanka Kaul Lakdwala, two Indian businesswomen that incorporate herbs like neem and tulsi in their designs. This collection was launched with the aim to embrace wellness, sustainability, and female empowerment. As neem, a tree native to India, possesses antimicrobial, antifungal and antimalarial properties, it is the ideal organic biopesticide to tackle pests and plagues on plants used to produce natural fibers like cotton, coconut or bamboo.

Using a non-toxic and organic pesticide like neem, to cultivate and protect the plants used to produce natural fibers, guarantees a final product free of chemical and synthetic pesticides and allows for a greener supply chain. 

With this revolutionary development, designers, producers, and consumers are raising awareness in the fashion world and committing to creating a more sustainable and fashionable industry!  

A sustainable fashion revolution is upon us and Neem is part of it.  

Will you join it? 

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Each year, 37% of potential crop yields are lost due to pests. This means that every year, $122 billion is wiped off of the market in potential output. If pesticide use were completely stopped, this number would double. However, many pests, like weeds and herbs, are now developing resistance to synthetic pesticides that have been used for generations. In order to continue producing more and more food, more and more pesticides will need to be used. Unfortunately, this will inevitably compound the issue of resistance development, requiring more pesticides for lower crop yields. How can this be reversed? By using natural pesticides like neem.

Neem is a natural pesticide that affects the hormonal system of insects, rather than comprehensively poisoning and killing organisms indiscriminately. While not effective immediately after application, pests will typically disappear for good within two weeks. Additionally, neem naturally repels many insects. So, while neem is working to rid crops of the current pests, it prevents future infestations. Neem is also cost-effective, as it has a similar price to many synthetic pesticides without any of the associated consequences. However, if we were to increase the use of neem products and other natural pesticides globally, overall cost would decrease. For example, in the US, the $10 billion annual environmental price tag would decrease!

Neem works by protecting your food, the environment, and the future, naturally.

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By the 1930s, there was a push to produce more and more food as the population had hit 2 billion and was showing no signs of slowing. Though it took over 120 years to go from a global population of 1 billion to 2 billion, there were only 33 years between the 2nd and 3rd billion. Consequently, with this rapid increase in demand for food, there was a scientific push to increase yields through innovative crop care and protection. German chemists discovered organophosphates during World War II. Intended for use as a chemical weapon, these compounds were kept secret during the war. After the war, they were repurposed as insecticides. Then came DDT. DDT is a synthetic compound synthesized by humans. These pesticides became hugely popular due to these benefits:

• Broad Spectrum: toxic to a wide range of pests, but thought to be safe for mammals
• Persistent: remained effective in the environment and required infrequent applications
• Water Insoluble: unaffected by rain, allowing for infrequent application requirements
• Inexpensive: cheap to buy and easy to use

These types of synthetic pesticides grew increasingly popular and were used to control mosquitoes in public, residential areas and delouse soldiers in WWII. However, there are immense health risks to continued use. DDT accumulates in body fat and the environment for generations! Nowadays, there are still reports of people with high DDT levels in their body, as well as traces found in soil and water samples.

Though plant-based pesticides have been around since the 1600s, they have not always been considered effective enough when considering cost or application. However, due to the destruction of the environment and the degradation of human health associated with synthetic chemicals, this is quickly changing. Without a focus on naturally derived pesticides, we will continue to produce synthetic chemicals that solve the global food security issue, supporting the rapid increase of our populations, but without proper knowledge and understanding of the severe health or environmental consequences. Instead of risking your future, support natural biopesticides, like neem.

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What are neonicotinoids? They are a type of synthetic chemical that poisons the whole plant system. Predominately altering the vascular system of the plant, these toxic chemicals have been found to harm bees and other pollinators due to residue in the pollen, nectar, and dew drops. Shown to be highly resilient, these chemicals have a half-life of up to 15 years. The European Commission has been extremely concerned over the past decade, even limiting neonicotinoid use due to its link with decreasing pollinator habitats. They have even introduced a proposal to completely ban these pesticides across commercial agriculture in Europe. Canada has also proposed a ban on a type of these chemicals, imidacloprids, because it is becoming increasingly clear that its use is not sustainable for the environment at the present rate of use. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agree that pesticides harm bees, but have only changed pesticide labels so they better protect bees by being clearer in their directions for application.

While some US agencies not taking the immense scientific evidence into account when determining environmental policies, many corporations have decided to listen to and protect consumers and the environment. In April 2015, Lowe’s announced they would phase out neonics over the next two years. Home Depot made the same announcement in 2016, and Aldi supermarkets was the first European retailer to ban pesticides shown to be toxic to bees that same year. In 2016, Scotts Miracle Gro, a major pesticide manufacturer, also declared the immediate phasing out of neonicotinoid pesticides from its products. Now, Walmart and True Value are joining in the fight against neonics. They will begin to stop selling these dangerous pesticides starting in May 2017.

Fortunately, there are many other natural options that consumers can use. Beyond Pesticides, a nonprofit that promotes the safe switch to a world free of synthetic pesticides, released an online toolkit called The Well Stocked Hardware Store. This has  helped lead consumers to environmentally friendly pesticides they could use for their personal needs. Neem oil is listed as an effective insecticide and fungicide, two applications for which neem is extremely viable.

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Bumblebees are vital to our survival. In the United States, wild bees are integral in wildflower and crop pollination, responsible for the pollination of one third of all crops in the United States, such as blueberries and tomatoes. The main factors that have contributed to this loss include disease, pesticides, climate change, and habitat loss. Before the 1990s, this bee species could be found in 28 states, but now they are limited to small populations in 13 states and Ontario. An 88% loss of population and an 87% loss of territory has been recorded in the last 30 years.

Scientists are blaming neonicotinoids, a common, toxic synthetic pesticide that is typically used on crops, lawns, gardens, and forests, because the plant entirely intakes the poison. That includes the leaf tissue, nectar, and pollen. Therefore, when the bees take in nectar, they ingest pesticide poison.

What does this mean for the future of agriculture? It means that a dramatic change needs to be made, and fast. 75% of food crops rely in some part on pollinators, so extinction of these species indicate a threat to our global food supply. A switch to sustainable agricultural practices in order to save pollinators, and thus our food sources, is necessary for the survival of mankind and our planet. Neem, an extremely effective natural pesticide, does not pose any danger to pollinators because they do not eat the plant. Neem is safe to pollinators and other non-target insects and mammals because the pesticide must be consumed to work. By using processes, like neem-based products, that do not pose any danger to pollinators or non-threatening insects, we can ensure our survival and global food supply.

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France has implemented a new law that will require pesticide companies to reduce their production by 20% over the next five years. This has angered some farmers as they are concerned about their options to protect their crops. However, there is no need for them to worry. Despite requiring 2.5x more labor than conventional farming, organic alternatives are environmentally safer, produce crops with higher nutritional value, and yield on average 10x the profit.

A sustainable, productive, and equitable global food system will be achieved through precise application technology as well as biological control. This is where neem fits into the plan! By replacing those harmful, synthetic chemicals with natural alternatives like neem, consumers will see a reduction in the presence of chemicals on their food and farmers will have healthier plants, higher crop yields and greater profits. Not to mention the unparalleled benefits that a shift to organics will have on human health and the environment!

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