Exploring the potential of Neem<i> (Azadirachta</i><i> indica</i> A. Juss.) as a sustainable biopesticide: Opportunities in Sudan

Sudan's escalating issue of insecticide pollution poses significant environmental and public health risks, emphasizing the need for sustainable alternatives. This review highlights the neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), globally renowned for its applications in medicine, agriculture, and pest control, as a viable biopesticide solution. Despite the tree's broad distribution in Sudan, data on its adaptability, optimal cultivation techniques, and efficacy as a biopesticide in varying ecological zones remain limited. The review provides an in-depth examination of neem's botanical and ecological characteristics, propagation methods, and genetic diversity, with a focus on the need for enhanced selection of high-yield provenances suited to Sudan's climatic conditions. This research aims to bridge knowledge gaps and encourage the development of neem-based solutions to improve agricultural sustainability in arid regions.