Impact of Production Technologies on Area and Productivity of Cashew in North Kerala

Abstract

The study analyses the impact of production technologies on area, production and productivity of cashew in
the Kannur and Kasaragod districts of Kerala state, as a prerequisite for developing and initiating innovative
technology interventions for combating low productivity and profitability from cashew cultivation. Results
revealed that highest area under cashew in farmer fields is occupied by the variety Priyanka followed by
Madakkathara-2 with similar trend in adoption levels. The ‘Priyanka + Madakkathara - 2’ combination emerged
to be the most popular one among farmers in the study area. Farmers realized highest production and productivity
from variety Sulabha, followed by Madakkathara-2 and Priyanka. Correlation analysis showed that four
technologies; recommended varieties, planting and initial care, pruning and training and plant protection as
having highly significant relationship with the cashew productivity achieved by farmers. The regression analysis
identified that increasing adoption of planting and initial care techniques, manures and fertilizers and
development and popularization of user friendly plant protection measures can significantly increase the per
unit productivity of cashew orchards in north Kerala. The study concludes that socio-economic and biophysical
factors along with policy environment have a larger contribution in explaining cashew productivity
and technology component alone cannot be expected to bring a positive impact. Understanding the above
dynamics in technology impact can help researchers and extension agencies working in cashew sector to
design better innovations and effective outreach strategies.