Impact of Biopesticides
Following are some examples, where impact of biopesticides on crop productivity has been assessed. (i) In Latin America, although till 1985, no one was interested in BPC agents, in 1990s it featured in all agricultural training events; (ii) In Nicaragua, natural crop protection is synonymous with neem, and each farmer grows 5-10 neem trees on his land; (iii) In Thailand, an NGO, Technologies for Rural Ecological Enrichment (TREE) adapted a neem based product, which led to establishment of a commercial company, which developed and marketed biopesticides; (iv) Derris elliptica is used as an insecticide in Vietnam and other countries. Production units were established and 50 tonnes of root powder (derris) was produced by 1995, which proved effective, so that commercial production was recommended (Derris plants grown in one hectare are enough to treat crops covering an area of 500 to 700 hectares).