The Hindu Business Line : Europe to get Indian biodynamic cashew

Addressing presspersons at the cashew factory here on Friday, Mr G. Giridhar Prabhu, Proprietor of Achal Industries, said biodynamic cashew would be introduced in the European market through Catz International B.V., the Netherlands, and marketed in Germany through Rapunzel AG.

Claiming that Achal is the first one to initiate biodynamic cashew project in the world, he said: "We are introducing bio-dynamic cashews by involving 43 farmers in Goa." Biodynamic agriculture is a method of farming that aims to treat the farm as a living system that interacts with the environment, to build healthy living soil and to produce food that nourishes and helps to develop humanity.

The company, which is already exporting organic cashew, will be tying up with major retailers in India to market organic cashew nuts in dedicated stores. "This will make available our supply of organic quality cashew nuts across the country," Mr Prabhu said.

Achal has developed an item of cashew paste and has been testing it. The paste could be consumed directly or could be used in cooking. After the tests are over, the cashew paste will be promoted for use in Indian cooking, he said.

CULTIVATION

To promote the growth of raw cashew nuts in Karnataka, the company is working closely with growers in Belgaum and Dharwad districts to produce the best quality raw cashew nuts.

"We are keen on encouraging the development of cashew orchards with dedication to the quality and post-harvest practices. Any unique characteristics that we find in flavour, texture, appearance, whiteness, crispness and size will be presented in specially identified packages. We want to promote the concept `from orchard to mouth' with identification of the region and conform to exhibit the goodness of nature," Mr Prabhu said.

At present, 1,800 farmers are under the management of Achal Industries.

EMPLOYMENT

As proposed by the Karnataka Government for improvement in employment, Achal Industries will employ 70 persons in 2007 under the "Suvarna Kayaka Yojana". This will enable the company to increase production and productivity in the existing premises, he said.

Stating that the improvement of employee in quality management is an absolute necessity, he said the company has been able to communicate the requirements of a very high standard to its employees. The company is the first cashew factory in the world to be certified by ISO 22000:2005 for food safety management system.

Mr Prabhu said Achal Industries has enthused all its employees to have bank accounts of their own under the financial inclusion programme of the Union Government. In this regard, nearly 450 employees of the company opened `no-frills' accounts with Canara Bank.

Earlier, Mr T.D. Pai, Deputy General Manager of Canara Bank, who inaugurated the employee office in the premises of the factory, handed over the passbooks to the employees.

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