The Hindu Business Line : Call to double cashew output

THERE is shortage of raw cashewnuts for processing units in Karnataka and the cashew cultivation should be doubled in the next seven to eight years to meet the demands, according to the Mangalore Cashew Manufacturers' Association (MCMA).

Karnataka, which has a capacity to process nearly one lakh tonne of cashewnuts, is procuring nearly 75,000 tonnes of raw cashewnuts from various other sources, including the neighbouring states. Following this, processing units in the State have to bear additional transportation cost and taxes.

Mr Giridhar Prabhu of MCMA, who represented cashew manufacturers at the national group meeting of scientists of All-India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Cashew at National Research Centre for Cashew (NRCC) in Puttur of Dakshina Kannada district on Sunday, said that the production in the State was stagnant, resulting in the shortage of raw cashew for processing units. Processing activity had become unviable in the State as the procurement of raw nuts was at disparity to the kernel market.

More model farms should be set up to build confidence among farmers that cashew is a viable plantation. Mr Prabhu suggested that cashew cultivation should be "aggressively marketed" with substantial budgetary allocation for cultivation.

India, which had overwhelming position in cashew trade, has come down to dominant position in the world market. Countries such as Vietnam are emerging as competitors to the Indian cashew industry.

Stating that the country is importing nearly five lakh tonnes of raw cashewnuts, he said that most of the kernels processed out of these nuts are exported.

The problem with the imported raw nuts is that a majority of the kernels have a foul smell. He said that this destroys the value of kernel, requesting the scientists to find a solution to rectify this problem.

Mr Prabhu said that a crop forecasting model could help the industry in procuring and selling cashew nuts. Such model has become necessary when the number of cashew-growing states have increased, he added.