Cashew industry in India – a sustainable roadmap

Abstract

India has made a considerable progress in cashew production, processing and export; thereby holds prominent position in global trade of cashew kernels. At present, India contributes world’s about 19.58% of total area and 23% of total raw cashew production, but poor productivity is a serious concern. Every year, over 7.0 lakh tonnes of raw cashew nuts are imported mainly from African countries and exporting cashew kernels to USA and UK after processing. The country needs about 13.0-14.0 lakh tonnes of raw cashew nuts per annum to feed a large number of cashew processing units. Vietnam and Brazil are major competitors to India for cashew production and export. Therefore, the felt need is to formulate strategic approach in holistic manner for increasing production and productivity of cashew in our country. This could be addressed by adopting promising cultivars and location-specific production technologies, effective technology dissemination, mechanization of processing, development of e-marketing network and alternative export destinations, better coordination in public and private institutions involved R&D of cashew, par excellence human resource etc. to make cashew industry economically-viable and, to meet the domestic and export requirement of cashew kernels, so as to establish India as a leader in sustainable production, processing and export of cashew in the years ahead, says Dr Saroj, Director, Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur.