The Hindu Business Line : Cashew industry urged to have close ties with growers

THE Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation, Mr Oscar Fernandes, has asked the cashew industry to have understanding with growers. This will help the industry to manufacture better products.

Launching the golden jubilee celebrations of the Mangalore Cashew Manufacturers' Association (MCMA) here on Thursday evening, he said that the industry should help the growers in tackling diseases such as stem borer in cashew plantations.

MCMA was renamed as Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers' Association (KCMA) on the occasion.

Cashew manufacturing units should encourage the establishment of more plantations in the country, he said, adding that this will help in bringing down dependence on imports.

He urged the cashew manufacturers to look into innovative marketing for their growth. Manufacturers can take steps in marketing cholesterol-free cashew nuts for the health-conscious people. However, quality should not be given a go by while doing so.

The KCMA President, Mr K. Prakash Rao, who welcomed the gathering, handed over a cheque of Rs 1 lakh to the Minister, as donation to the tsunami victims.

Mr G. Giridhar Prabhu, former president of the association, who presented a vision document for cashew development, said that a campaign is necessary to target 11,200 farmers in the State to convert their available land into cashew orchards.

He said `Vision 2021' is aimed at making Karnataka the cashew State of India. The vision is aimed at cultivating 1,50,000 tonnes of cashew nuts by 2021.

A Web site of KCMA was launched on the occasion.