India is the second largest country in the production of Raw Cashew Nuts in the world: Narendra Singh Tomar
31 March 2022, New Delhi: Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare inaugurated the “Silver Jubilee Building” of the ICAR-Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur, Karnataka.
Mr. Tomar underlined the cultivation of cashew, mentioned that the crop is grown in 11.25 Lakh ha area having annual production of 7 Lakh Tonnes. He stated that the area under cashew in the country is the second largest in the world. India is also the second largest country in the production of raw cashew nuts in the world.
Highlighting the ever-increasing consumption of the cashew in the country, he also stressed on the need for setting a goal to fill-up the gap between its production and consumption. To adopt the ways for strategic planning to enhance the export of cashew instead of its import was also emphasized by Mr. Tomar.
Applauding the efforts of the agricultural and farming fraternity that have led the country to be self-dependent and self-reliant in the production of the various avenues of agriculture, the Union Minister urged for working together to strengthen the country. The unparallel contributions of the Council and its Institutes Pan India in strengthening the agricultural sector of the country. He also asserted on the dedication of the agricultural scientists to ensure the enhancement in the production and quality of the various crops that have yielded visible results.
“There is a need to enhance the cashew’s production and its productivity by bringing more area under the cashew cultivation”, stressed Mr. Tomar. He urged for exploring the possible suitable areas for its expansion. The release of 26 varieties, developing of Virtual Software and Mobile App “Kaju India” by the ICAR-DCR, Puttur for apprising the farmers about the latest developed varieties and technologies were underlined by the Union Minister. The large scale employment opportunities generated by the Cashew Processing, which involves around 95% farmers along with the Cashew Processing Units providing employment to about 15 Lakh people was highlighted by the Minister.
The Union Minister regarded the New Silver Jubilee Building as a new dimension in the Council’s vision of empowering and benefiting the agricultural community which will help in advancing the research on the Cashew crop.
