The cashew industry in Kerala, India, is facing a significant challenge due to the diminishing trend in domestic cashew nut production.The Kerala State Cashew Corporation (KSACC) was established in 2007 with the mandate of expanding cashew cultivation and increasing productivity. KSACC has been distributing high-yielding variety cashew grafts to farmers and promoting new cultivation technologies.
Current Position in Kerala:
Kerala now ranks 6th in terms of area under cashew and 5th in production compared to other states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.The state plays a crucial role in the processing and exporting sectors of the Indian cashew industry, with approximately 800 registered processing units employing around 300,000 workers, 95% of whom are women.
Production Crisis:
A major crisis facing the cashew industry in Kerala is the diminishing trend in domestic production of cashew nuts. The state currently produces only 83,000 MT of raw cashew nuts (RCN) against a requirement of 600,000 MT.
This shortfall is attributed to a reduction in area under cashew cultivation and low productivity of traditional crops.
The success of KSACC’s efforts will be crucial for the long-term sustainability of the cashew industry in Kerala.