As I sit back in Bhubaneswar, recovering from a short but virulent viral infection, I’m excited to announce that Neemola is working!

Recently, Surajita and I returned from a weeklong trip to JRP’s field office in Daspalla to check on the progress of the Neemola startup. Given sparse internet and phone connectivity in the region, it’s nearly impossible to monitor progress without being on site.

The first thing I noticed upon disembarking from our bus from Bhubaneswar was the dramatic improvement in the weather since our last trip. During our previous visit, the combined intensity of unmitigated sunlight, heat, and humidity had made our work outdoors unbearable. The monsoon season, however, has brought consistent cloud cover and cooler temperatures, making the overall climate slightly more humane.

The monsoon has brought clouds and cooler temperatures

To be honest, we didn’t know what to expect upon arrival. Were women collecting neem seeds? How strong was the buy-in? Was this going to work?

To our delight, everything seems to be on track!

While exploring the backroads of tribal Daspalla to recruit more participants, we encountered two women collecting neem seeds along the roadside for the startup. They had been working for several hours and had already gathered approximately 6-7 kilos between them. During our conversation, we also joined in the collection efforts!

A women with neem seeds

A woman picking neem seeds

Biswajit climed a tree to help with the collection efforts

This was a good omen: neem seed collection was occurring spontaneously without JRP’s supervision. Given this positive development, we decided to visit a couple villages where women-led cooperatives had already signed on to join the startup. To our delight, a lot of progress has been made in just the last two to three weeks.

Between the two villages, approximately 100 kg of neem seeds have already been collected and dried. JRP provided a total remuneration of 5,000 rupees for this quantity. While this sum—equivalent to just under $60—may seem modest, it can have a significant impact in rural areas lacking economic opportunities. As the startup continues to grow, this initiative has the potential to address funding gaps for children’s education and emergency medical expenses.

A woman carries over neem seeds to be weighed

Weighing neem seeds with a one kilo weight

Watching the process of weighing neem seeds

Payment to women’s collective

I am thrilled with the progress made thus far in Daspalla. While the actual processing of neem seeds into oil won’t commence until September, the smooth start of the project is highly encouraging. Although it’s premature to predict the outcome of the processing stage, the current momentum bodes well for the initiative’s future success!