IFFCO Managing Director Dr U S Awasthi visited his home town in Sathani, Unnao in Uttar Pradesh on his birthday on Tuesday. His warm reception at the village only matched with the birthday wishes pouring in on social media throughout the day.
Fans wished him a healthy life and strengthening of his resolve in solving farmers’ problems in the country. A humbled Awasthi tweeted “Reached my village #Sathani #Unnao to be with #farmers #cooperators on my birthday. Delighted to be with everyone. “
During his visit Awasthi interacted with the farmers and presented souvenirs to women, farmers and kids.
On the occasion, Awasthi also planted neem trees and said IFFCO had planted 25,000 neem plants under the Neem Plantation Scheme and about 5000 neem trees have been planted in Unnao as well. “Today on my birthday, planted 5000 #Neem trees. #IFFCO is committed to plant & promote Neem for #farmers’ benefit”, he tweeted.
Readers would recall that earlier Awasthi announced IFFCO will purchase neem fruits usually discarded as waste, at the rate of Rs 15 a kilo. Popularly known as nimori, farmers could visit any IFFCO office to sell their neem fruits. This decision was taken in the last AGM and was promptly reported in these columns.
IFFCO last year signed a memorandum of understanding with the Forest Research of India on research and development for developing quality neem species in the next three years.
The scheme will not only enhance farmers’ income but also help in increasing awareness about organic fertilizers.
The Government has made it mandatory for fertilizer firms to produce neem-coated urea and the demand for neem extracts is expected to rise. The IFFCO has already planted over 1.5 lakh neem saplings.