Cashew kernels are highly nutritious containing protein (21.0%), fat (47.0%), carbohydrates (22.0%), minerals and vitamins. It is considered as a safe food as bulk of fatty acids in the kernel fall under unsaturated fatty acid group. Cashewnut Shell Liquid (CNSL), a by-product finds use in a number of chemical industries. Cashew apple is rich in anthocyanin and ascorbic acid and has potential for utilization in various delicious preparations as well as production of industrial alcohol which needs further exploitation. Considerable progress has been made in cashew research since 1950.
In the early part of 20th century itself, India was the first country in the world to take advantage of the export potential of cashew kernels. According to FAO (2010), Nigeria, India, Ivory Coast, Vietnam and Indonesia are leading cashew producing countries in the world. It is grown mainly in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala along the west coast and Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal along the east coast. It is also grown to a limited extent in non-traditional areas such as Bastar region of Chattisgarh and Kolar (Plains) region of Karnataka, Gujarat, and Jharkhand and in North Eastern Hilly region.
Cashew is one of the major export oriented horticultural crops of India. In the early part of 20th century itself, India was the first country to develop technology for extraction of cashew kernels from raw cashewnuts and exploit the export potential of these kernels. Indian cashew kernel is ranked best in quality in the International market. India exports 1.312 lakh tonnes of cashew kernels per annum to over 65 countries and is a prominent trader for over a century.
India is producing about 7.0 lakh tonnes of raw cashewnuts annually. The cashew processing units in the country need about 13-14 lakh tonnes of raw cashewnuts annually. In order to meet the requirement of the processing industry, every year, India imports about 6.0 – 7.0 lakh tonnes of raw cashewnuts from African and South East Asian countries. As many of these cashew producing African countries started strengthening their processing capacities, the availability of raw cashewnuts for import will be reduced drastically in future. Hence, it has become inevitable to increase the raw cashewnut production in the country to maintain leading position in the international market and trade.
It has been estimated that the requirement of raw cashewnuts will be 25.0 lakh tonnes by 2030 and would touch the mark of 45.0 lakh tonnes of raw cashewnuts by 2050. This target can be achieved by enhancing productivity of cashe wto 2.5 to 3.0 t/ha by harnessing the power of science as well as area expansion in prospective locations. The low yielding cashew plants of senile and non-descript origin need to be replaced with cashew grafts of high yielding varieties along with adoption of improved production technologies. It is essential that India should keep pace and meet the requirement of raw cashewnuts for cashew processing industries and achieve self sufficiency. There is a need to keep up the same tempo up to 2050 and beyond.
This website is brought to you by The Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers Association with objective of promoting Cashew Growth by involving all the stake holders of Cashew Business Viz, Farmers, Agricultural Scientists & Researchers, Cashew Industries, Govt Agencies & Traders.
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