Cashew output up; Kerala bucks trend

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday said cashew production in the country has increased, except in Kerala where the output has slumped from 72,000 tonnes in 2006-07 from 95,000 in 2003-04.

���The production of cashew in the country is in an increasing trend, except in Kerala,��� minister of state for agriculture Kanti Lal Bhuria said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

According to the minister, total cashew production in the country has gone up by 8.2% to 6.2 lakh tonnes in 2006-07 and that compared with 5.7 lakh tonnes a year ago.

Maharashtra topped in cashew production at 1.9 lakh tonnes followed by Andhra Pradesh at 99,000 tonnes, West Bengal at 84,000 tonnes, Kerala at 72,000 tonnes and Karnatka 52,000 tonnes.

As far as acreage under the crop is concerned, the data showed a downward trend in Kerala, it has slipped to 80,000 hectares in 2006-07 from 100,000 hectares five years back. However, the yield level has increased marginally to 900 a kg.

The minister said the Kerala State Agency for Cashew Cultivation (KSACC) has not submitted any proposal for financial aid for enhancing cashew cultivation in the state. However, to improve the cashew output in the country, the minister said National Horticulture Mission is being implemented since 2005-06 to promote holistic growth of horticulture sector, which includes cashew.

New plantation, replanting old and uneconomical cashew gardens with high yielding varieties are the major activities undertaken under the mission for increasing cashew production in the country, he added.