Collection of Neem seeds from rural women, to extract Neem oil for coating Urea was the modus operandi of GNFC’s Neem Project. Through a detailed backward integration structure that has been created for sourcing, storage, oil extraction, etc., Neem Project has generated massive employment opportunities for landless laborers and rural women. GNFC continues to build its momentum of socio-economic impact on the rural poor through forward integration by manufacturing Neem soap, Neem Hand wash, Neem Hair oil, Neem Face wash, Neem Organic Manure, Neem Pesticide, etc. Synergising with the National Skill Development Mission, GNFC rendered training to Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Bharuch district on soap making. Currently, rural women run daily operations of the soap unit and earn steady income. Dr. Rajiv Kumar Gupta belongs to the Indian Administrative Service batch of 1986. With over three decades of experience across wide ranging sectors, he has held top positions in the Government of Gujarat as Principal Secretary, Urban Development, Water Supply, and Climate Change departments; Managing Director of Gujarat Tourism, and Gujarat State Civil Supplies Corporation; and Commissioner of Higher & Technical Education. He holds a Ph.D. in International Law and has also been trained in the United Nations University, Tokyo; University of Melbourne; and Kennedy School, Harvard.
Dr. Gupta is Managing Director of Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd. The recent 'Neem Project' conceived & executed by him was awarded Porter Prize by Prof.Michael Porter- Harvard Business School, Golden Peacock Award-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, India CSR Award-Union Minister Athawale. Univ of Chicago- Booth Business School & Harris School of Public Policy has decided to make it a case study. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx