Abaco Neem pushes into southern islands

Wed, Feb 15th 2012, 09:54 AM

It started with 8,000 imported Indian seeds and now, nearly 20 years later, Abaco Neem has blossomed into a full-fledged healthcare enterprise with its products offered in more than 100 outlets throughout The Bahamas.
Nick Miaoulis, Abaco Neem's owner, told Guardian Business that he recognized a long time ago that healthcare would become a major issue, as there are many cases of obesity throughout The Bahamas.
Despite having little farming experience, Nick said he was intrigued by the benefits that the Neem tree had to offer the healthcare system.
The tree's benefits, coupled with the rising cost of healthcare that the average Bahamian is faced with, is what led him to start Abaco Neem in 1994 with the assistance of long-time Abaco farmer Albert Albury.
"I saw the handwriting on the wall 25 years ago, that healthcare would be an issue.  Personally, my healthcare costs have doubled within the last eight years and that is most likely the same for the average Bahamian," according to Miaoulis.
"In our country, if you don't work in some big company, bank, hotel, or are a part of a union, healthcare is almost unaffordable.  We are following down the same road as North America. North American healthcare is not affordable for the average individual and the same is true here in our country."
The Abaco Neem nursery began with 8,000 seeds in 1994 and now there are over 6,500 Neem trees on its 120 acres of land in Marsh Harbour, Abaco.
Miaoulis revealed to Guardian Business that to date, more than $1.6 million has been invested into developing the business.
The products are available in more than 120 outlets throughout the country.
"Our products are sold in the Northern Bahamas in islands like Grand Bahama, Bimini and Abaco. We are in the Central Bahamas, New Providence, Exuma and Eleuthera," he shared.
Miaoulis hopes that within the next two years, Abaco Neem will become a household name.
"Now, we are working on the Southern Bahamas.  We are hoping to be in Long Island within the next couple months and in Crooked Island.  We are in Acklins.  We want our products to be where it is accessible and so this year we are concentrating on marketing.  It is a Bahamian-owned business with a truly Bahamian product," he noted.
Abaco Neem has seven full-time employees including Miaoulis, however that number increases by 10 to 15 during the three-month harvest period.
He further noted that Abaco Neem produces a range of products for the body, alternative preventative medicinal products, as well as home and garden and pet products and all are done using its own organically grown Neem tree.
"We feel like our timing couldn't be better.  Healthcare is a major issue today.  Abaco Neem is all about prevention.  When people use our healthcare products, it should encourage them to make healthier lifestyle choices.  The greatest gift of all is life, so why not take care of it," he said.
Abaco Neem sells a variety of products in areas such as healthcare, pet care and gardening, along with gift packs and books.  Abaco Neem also takes an holistic approach to farming, and developed agricultural products that are beneficial for gardens and farms while not harming the environment.
The Neem tree naturally repels over 500 plus insects.  Abaco Neem has products that keep harmful insects away like white flies, caterpillars, moths, aphids and many other garden pests.

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