Cracking the tough nut in India: The way forward

Abstract

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is an important commercial crop providing employment to more than 10 lakh people in India. Cashew was introduced in the country by the Portuguese in sixteenth century for controlling soil erosion, and it was found suitable for restoring degraded lands. However, India began processing the cashew nuts, giving the crop a commercial orientation. The crop has immense economic potential and there is a need to boost raw cashew nut (RCN) production to meet the growing demand for cashew kernels in the domestic and world market. Technological adoption and institutional support are important in bringing more area under cashew. The rapid and significant increase in non-traditional areas is an unexpected but welcome opportunity to revive the cashew economy of the country. However, it warrants a multi-pronged approach to strengthen the cashew value chain for the sustained growth of the sector.