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A.J. Vinayak

Mangalore , Nov 22

After getting a good response for organic cashew in the overseas market, Achal Industries, a Mangalore-based cashew manufacturer and exporter, has launched organic cashew in the Indian market.

Achal Industries, which took up production of organic cashew in 1995, currently exports around 100 tonnes.

Mr G. Giridhar Prabhu, Proprietor of Achal Industries, told Business Line that his unit was certified for organic cashew by IMO of Switzerland for export market, National Organic Programme of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the US, and National Programme on Organic Production for the Indian market.

"In Europe, the term `organic' is a legal word. No one can use it without being certified."

The company has received good response for this niche food commodity.

Mr Prabhu said the project on organic cashew cultivation was started in 1995 with a group of 195 farmers.

"For the last 10 years, the entire production of organic produce so procured and processed was exported to Europe because of appreciable demand there." The unit procures organic raw cashew from plantations on 3,125 hectares in Goa and Maharashtra.

Nearly 1,800 farmers have taken up organic cashew cultivation on this land holding, which is managed by Achal Industries.

On the Indian market condition for organic cashew, Mr Prabhu said the domestic market for organic cashew was opening up.

The boom in the retail sector has helped in generating demand for this commodity.

Achal launched organic cashew at the recent "India Organic 2006" international trade fair in Bangalore; it has received several enquiries afterwards.

The company is in talks with some major retail players for tie-ups.

"A beginning is made in marketing organic cashew for the Indian customers."

Achal Industries has received the latest standard of food safety management system - ISO 22000:2005.

Mr Prabhu said the company was the first integrated cashew factory in the world to receive this kind of certification, and among the first 25 food manufacturers.

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