The case discusses the Neem Project, which was performed by Gujarat Narmada Valley

Fertilisers & Chemicals Limited (GNFC) in India. The endeavour entailed coating urea with
neem oil in order to promote soil health, reduce subsidised urea diversion, and create social
effect by providing livelihood options to rural populations. Over 450,000 men and women in
six Indian states gained employment as a result of the project, which generated an
additional INR 500 million in revenue. It also resulted in women's empowerment, enhanced
family decision-making power, and a reduction in domestic violence. Despite their success,
Dr. Gupta recognised the difficulties in scaling up such initiatives while keeping their basic
goal of social upliftment.

The project had a significant social impact on seed collectors, who previously had low
incomes and limited livelihood opportunities. GNFC provided better rates for neem seeds
and established trust among collectors. The project enabled women to become aggregators,
secure financing, and invest in assets or start their own businesses.
However, the project faced challenges in convincing some villagers to participate in neem
seed collection. GNFC adopted various strategies, such as hiring villagers as laborers or
engaging children to collect seeds, to encourage participation.

While the project provided a seasonal livelihood opportunity, there were requests from
women's groups to establish manufacturing or processing operations that could offer year-
round employment.
Overall, the Neem Project by GNFC aimed to combine commercial viability with social
impact, providing sustainable solutions for rural communities and promoting responsible
agricultural practices.

The purpose of the presentation is to find workable answers to issues like scalability and
the usage of surplus neem oil while upholding the social aim. It seeks to contribute to a
deeper understanding of sustainability in relation to the fertilizers and chemicals business,
as well as to provide concrete recommendations for organisations implementing green
initiatives.