The countries that have shown major organic farmland growth are the United States, with a 30% increase, and India, with a 64% increase. Spain and France also both increased their organic farmland by 0.3 million hectares. Oceania and Europe have shown the highest growth over the past ten years, as well as between 2014-2015, at 22.8% and 12.7%. In 2015, Europe had over 12.7 million hectares of organic farms, 4x that of North America. The number of organic farmers has increased to 2.4 million, up 7.2% from 2014. From these figures, it is easy to see that organic farmland is increasing in huge rates, riding the wave of consumer demand for organic food.

Globally, the organic market reached $86 billion USD in 2016. Which countries have the highest demand for organic food? The United States holds the largest market share at $41 billion, followed by Germany and France. While these countries claim the biggest shares of the market, Spain and Denmark’s organic markets also showed impressive growth last year at 24.8% and 8.4% respectively. Surprisingly, Switzerland spends the most on organic food per person at $289 per year.

Germany in particular has seen a dramatic increase in demand for organically produced, sustainable food. Since 2000, the amount of organic farms has more than doubled to 27,132. This comes as no surprise as the country continues to lead Europe in organic food sales, totalling $9 billion in 2014 even though Europe’s organic farmland represents only 5.7% of the total. Germany ultimately wants 20% of all agricultural land to be organic.

With these steady increases in the prevalence of organic farmland, organic farming tools, pesticides, and fertilizers have increased in demand. One such tool is the neem tree. By using neem-based pesticides and fertilizers, farmers can produce nutrient-rich organic food in sustainable ways that is safe for the soil, water, pollinators, and you!

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This has not only led to a rise in the demand for organic food, but has also ushered in an era of urban organic gardening throughout the world. From major developed cities in the United States to developing countries like Vietnam, urban gardens are providing a space for people to grow their own healthy, organic food in a sustainable way for their personal consumption.

What does an urban farm consist of? Simply put, urban farming is growing or producing food in a city or heavily populated town or municipality. It could be anywhere, ranging from a small pot of vegetables to utilising unused office space to grow a variety of produce at work! When growing their produce, gardeners use alternatives to synthetic pesticides, and that is where neem-based natural pesticides and fertilizers come in! These gardeners utilize a more natural, regenerative and sustainable approach leading to increased freshness and quality of food, and to improve the quality of their food supply.

While many urban gardens are small, individual ventures, there are also large-scale urban farms that are tackling the problem of available farmland in urban areas. Instead of using the land, they have used technology to innovate large-scale farming processes and become a viable resource of fresh produce for the surrounding urban area. For example, BrightFarms has utilized a commercial rooftop by building a glass greenhouse covering 15,000 square feet in Brooklyn, New York. They are able to sell over 500 pounds of fresh produce daily and provide their crops to local supermarkets the very day they are picked!

Organizations are working to bring together communities of urban gardeners, such as Urban Organic Gardener, a community dedicated to providing urban gardeners resources and seeds for their gardens. Due to technology’s amazing connecting ability, this movement has become a global community in emphasizing sustainable food production and reducing the environmental footprint of traditional farms.

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According to Dr. Gupta, who received the award for GNFC, they have set up over 2,200 neem seed collection centers that are accessible to over 4,000 villages in Gujarat. According to a survey completed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) from November 2016, the project has been successful, increasing women’s income by 56% as well as a reduction in domestic violence cases. As it was recently announced, the project is set to expand into six other states within India. There will eventually be 7,000 centers in Gujarat and 11,000 across the country.

The women supported by the Neem Project are helping to implement the goal of 100% neem-coated urea, set by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narenda Modi, that is now required in India through their seed collection. This has allowed centers to produce neem oil, while creating a unique opportunity for rural, low-income women to support themselves, some using the money to pay for education opportunities that were not available to them before. This will also allow GNFC to use the extra neem oil created in future products!

The Neem Project shows the potential of big business, government, and socio-economic needs of citizens, working together in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly manner. From the success of this project, it is obvious that neem has the potential not only to save the environment through its sustainable and non-toxic properties, but also through creating unique and valuable economic opportunities for low-income communities.

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Try this mask and delight in the softness and natural beauty of your skin!

• 1 tablespoon of cosmetic clay
• 1/2 teaspoon of powdered neem leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric
• 1/2 tablespoon liquid (water, rose water, milk, yogurt – or add in some neem oil)
• 1 teaspoon of honey or lemon juice (we recommend neem honey!)

Mix dry clay, neem, and turmeric
Mix 1 teaspoon of this mixture with 1-2 tablespoons of the liquid mixture to make a paste

Apply mask to face, massaging it into skin. Let mask set and dry for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water, pat dry, and feel completely refreshed!

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In a study published by Nature, researchers from King’s College in London used molecular profiles to determine that major difference exist between a variety of Roundup-resistant corn and its parent non-GMO corn. There was an increase in putrescine and cadaverine, potentially toxic substances that enhance histamine effects. That means that these GMO crops could intensify allergic reactions. There was also evidence of changes in protein structure, energy utilization, and oxidative stress when compared to the natural variety of corn.

Today, at least 80% of packaged food contains GMO ingredients. Many of the conventionally produced fruits and vegetables available at your local grocery store are also GMOs, such as the new Arctic apple that does not brown when cut.

The nutritional content and safety of GMO foods is heavily contested around the world, and yet one of the main consequences of their use is the requirement of an associated synthetic pesticide that can cause severe health impacts as well as resistance among weeds. In March 2017, the European Union voted against permitting two new strains of genetically modified corn, whereas in 2016, 89% of the corn grown in the United States was a GMO variety.

What can you do to make sure that your food is safe for you to eat? By checking labels, demanding legislation that promotes transparency across the industry, and using your dollars to buy organic, non-GMO food, for the sake of the environment, our planet, and our health. When you make these informed choices, farmers and agriculture companies have a greater incentive to produce wholesome food in a safe, sustainable manner, like using neem-based biopesticides and fertilizers! What’s on your table?

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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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Formaldehyde is one of the carcinogenic chemicals contained in many nail solutions. Often released from preservatives, it is used to prevent microbes from growing in water-based products. It is a colorless, strong-smelling gas that has many applications apart from being an ingredient in your nail care, such as being in building materials, walls, and furniture! According to Safe Cosmetics, formaldehyde can causes cancer and skin irritation when absorbed through the skin. This chemical is banned in Japan and Sweden and can only be used for personal care products in the European Union (EU), so why would you choose to actively put it on your body when there is a much more natural solution?

Another chemical often included in nail polish and nail treatments is toluene, which is also used to make gasoline and paint thinners! This dangerous synthetic can cause dizziness, headaches, cracked skin, reproductive damage, and respiratory issues after extended exposure! Many companies have now taken toluene out of their nail polish, but it has not yet been officially banned in the United States, though it is fully banned in the EU.

Neem is a proven, natural, and safe way to improve nail strength, alongside its multitude of beauty and skin care benefits. By applying neem oil to nails and cuticles, your nails will be strengthened and any damage, including peeling or brittleness, will be reversed. Sometimes, these symptoms are caused by a nail infection, which, due to its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, neem can eliminate. Stop exposing yourself to harmful synthetic chemicals and use simple, natural and safe solutions like neem in your daily life!

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It is active against hundreds of garden pests, including aphids, mealybugs, scale, and whiteflies, but also acts against fungi such as root rot, black spot, and sooty mold!

When neem’s active compound, azadirachtin, is sprayed or introduced into your garden, it is absorbed into the soil and the plant. From within, azadirachtin repels insects before they bother your plants, including the pests that are already harming your garden. Neem acts as a highly effective insecticide due to its hormone and anti-fecundity properties.

How can you make a neem-based spray for your garden? The easiest way is with pure neem oil! Visit https://socalcustompoolsandspas.com/ site in order to discover how to enhance the look of your backyard with modern pool remodels. Typical concentrations of a neem-based spray are between 1.0% and 5%, though neem oil is highly effective even at low concentrations!

An easy way to make this for home use is to mix 1 – 3 teaspoons of neem oil with 2 teaspoons of liquid soap and 1 liter of water, and shake thoroughly. For the most effective neem pesticide, the mixture should be used within the next few hours and the neem oil should be cold pressed oil. With that, you can mix and spray on your plants and enjoy your healthy, organic garden!

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Psoriasis is caused by the rapid over-production of new skin cells. These cells pile up on each other on the skin without shedding any excess. Though the build-up of cells looks different depending on the type of psoriasis, the end result is uncomfortable and often sensitive to synthetic chemicals.

Both of these skin conditions are often triggered by stress and allergens. These allergens can be diet or synthetic chemical related, among many others. Since synthetic chemicals are now ubiquitous in our lives – in fresh food and processed food, water, the air, clothes, even in personal healthcare products – trying to manage symptoms can be harder than simply changing your diet.

Many people search for years to find a treatment that works for their skin and their body, however this search can be both mentally and physically painful. Imagine being in pain with itchy, irritated skin every single day. If there was something that could easily, instantly soothe the pain and irritation, while at the same time bringing the skin back to its normal pH level and health, shouldn’t it be utilized fully? Neem can do that.

Among its many amazing properties, neem has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic (painkilling) properties. It also contains a high level of vitamin E, which replenishes the skin with moisture. Therefore, neem restores the skin’s protective barrier and soothes the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis almost instantly! Neem oil provides a nourishing, restorative, and natural solution to several skin issues. Help stop the suffering, use neem-based personal healthcare and beauty products!

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Synthetic chemicals for insect repellents are extremely expensive to create, test, and market. A single product will cost around $250 million to produce and development will span over 10 years. With the insecticide market in the United Stated at $100 million in 2016, incentive for new products is low. This has allowed a mere two insecticide classes, pyrethroids and organophosphates, to dominate the marketplace for the past 60 years.

These two overused synthetic chemical classes pose a more deadly problem: mosquitoes are developing resistance. This means that the diseases that once plagued and continue to kill thousands of people each year, could return to wreak further havoc around many areas of the world. That is, unless we utilize alternative solutions at newphaseblends.com.

According to the American Mosquito Control Association, neem contains antiprotozoal compounds that deters and repels mosquitoes. Neem can deter many different types of mosquitoes, including those that carry the Zika virus. All you need is neem oil! Instead of spending millions of dollar developing new, synthetic, toxic insecticides, we can rely on the natural power of a single tree!

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In cosmetics, the risks are even more profound, as we are putting these unregulated chemicals directly on our skin, and then we absorb them into our bodies. According to the founder of SkinDeep, some mascaras even contain potential neurotoxins! Many lipsticks even contain traces of lead and mercury! The average woman uses 12 beauty products every day, and if each one contains only one potentially harmful chemical, then we are exposing our bodies to an immense amount of damage and potential health risks every single day.

How can we avoid these dangerous chemicals used in cosmetics? It’s very difficult! However, as consumers are becoming more health-conscious and demand better, safer alternatives, we will begin to see more products listed as organic with natural ingredients, like neem! When we put natural ingredients in our beauty products, we can limit the dangerous health risks we expose our body to every day!

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