Every morning, in the neighborhoods of Bharathi Nagar and Perumalpuram, a group of women from Palavanatham village embark on an unconventional journey. They gather fallen neem flowers, transforming these delicate blossoms into a source of income that supports their families.
Armed with brooms, the women descend upon the streets as early as 6 a.m., carefully collecting the neem flowers that adorn the ground like a white carpet. Their nimble fingers pluck the fragrant flowers, their sweet scent filling the air.
These women, who hail from the humble village of Palavanatham in the Aruppukottai block of Virudhunagar district, have found a unique opportunity in the neem flowers that were once considered a mere nuisance. They travel by an early morning train from Virudhunagar to reach Tirunelveli Junction, where they board the Tamil Nadu Government’s ‘free pink buses’ that take them to Bharathi Nagar and Perumalpuram. In these areas, neem trees abound, providing an ample supply of flowers for their collection.
Lakshmi and Bathrakali, two of the women from Palavanatham, explain that their team of 20-30 members works tirelessly to gather the neem flowers before the morning traffic commences. By day’s end, each woman manages to collect around 20-30 kg of flowers, earning them a substantial income of ₹400-₹600 daily.
The purpose behind the buyer’s purchase of the neem flowers remains a mystery to the women. However, they are grateful for the opportunity to earn a livelihood from these seemingly insignificant blossoms.
The scorching summer months of April and May bring forth an abundance of neem flowers, and this year has been particularly fruitful. The women have been able to collect significantly more flowers compared to previous years. They diligently store their collected neem flowers in a designated location after obtaining permission from the property owners.
During the farming season, these women work as farmhands, gathering 67 varieties of herbal plant parts to support their families. The neem flowers, with their distinct honey-like scent, attract numerous bees. S. Raja Mohamed, a retired Joint Director of Horticulture, highlights the versatility of neem flowers, noting their use in aromatherapy and their calming and restorative effects.
The flowering period of neem extends from March to May, with fruiting occurring from June to July. The percentage of trees flowering is around 90%, and each tree can produce 7-9 kg of seeds. Dried neem flowers are often powdered and combined with leaves to create beauty packs that address excess oil secretion, acne, pimples, and itching. Mr. Raja Mohammed further emphasizes the medicinal properties of neem, including its potential to reduce blood sugar levels, heal ulcers, and prevent plaque formation in the mouth.
The recent heatwave, following the heavy rainfall and floods of mid-December, has seemingly stimulated flowering in the neem trees. R. Anburaj, the president of the Palavanatham village panchayat, shares that the villagers consume ‘neem flower kudineer’ to boost their immunity, as an alternative to ‘Kabasura kudineer’.
Mr. Raja Mohammed suggests that the Tamil Nadu Government could empower these women by forming self-help groups and providing vehicles to transport their collected medicinal plant products to markets. He also advocates for training women in value-addition techniques, transforming them into micro-entrepreneurs.
The story of these women from Palavanatham village serves as an inspiration, demonstrating how resourcefulness and hard work can create opportunities from even the most unexpected sources. Their efforts not only generate income but also contribute to the sustainable utilization of natural resources, paving the way for a brighter future.
