Harvesting Tenderness: The Story of Vengurla - 10 MB Cashew

Abstract

Maharashtra is a major contributor to India’s cashew production, with 191.45 thousand hectares under cultivation and an annual output of approximately 189.71 thousand metric tons. The Konkan region accounts for the majority of this area, making it a key zone for cashew development. With the rising demand for tender cashew kernels in culinary applications and direct consumption, the AICRP-Cashew unit at the Regional Fruit Research Station, Vengurla identified and evaluated a promising genotype for tender kernel suitability. The selected accession, later released as Vengurla - 10 MB, demonstrated intermediate shell thickness, low cashew nut shell lquid (CNSL) content (7.85%), and a higher tender kernel recovery rate (32%) compared to the reference variety Vengurla - 4 (13.05% CNSL and 24% recovery). These traits contribute to easier shelling, reduced skin irritation, and greater processing efficiency, especially in manual and small - scale operations. Sensory evaluation also revealed superior quality in taste, texture, and appearance, enhancing its appeal for the tender kernel market. Based on its overall performance, Vengurla-10 MB was officially released in 2024 and is now recommended for cultivation in coastal Maharashtra, particularly in regions focused on value addition and tender kernel processing.