Neem (Azadirachta indica)

Local name: Neem

Neem trees grow  all  over  India. The plant  remains green throughout  the  year and  is drought  resistant. Large quantities  of  leaves become  available if  judiciously  collected. Neem  is  a  large  and  evergreen tree  with  edible fruits  and  aromatic  leaves found  throughout southern Asia. A mature tree can produce 350 kg of  leaves a year, which  may be used for  feeding cattle during famines.

Nutritive value

The neem leaves are not relished by the animals. Buffaloes consume about four to six kilogram. The nutritive  value is 6.19% DCP and 50% TDN. After the oil has been pressed from the seeds, the cake is used as fertilizer, but it can also be used as feed. Up to 10% neem cake may be included in concentrates for cattle and up to 5% for poultry. The oilcake has a very bitter taste. Leaves and cakes are used as anthelmintic for goats and is said to give healthy looking animals when fed.

Deleterious factor

The terpenoids azadirachtin and limonin impart a bitter taste and the leaves of A. indica are therefore not relished by cattle.