Kochi: The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPC)-Laboratory in Kerala’s Kollam city has mooted a Rs 90-lakh project for the development of a Centre for Technology Transfer for Cashew to enable cultivation, production and processing with financial assistance from Nabard. Run-up to Budget 2008-09
Dr V.P. Potty, Head of the Laboratory, told Business Line that setting up of such a development centre has become inevitable for boosting raw nut production and processing, given the slow pace of growth at present in this sector.
Low productivity, long gestation period to get the maximum yield, and large areas of senile plantations are some of the major problems which needed to be surmounted, he said.
The current productivity of cashew per hectare in India is around 800 kg, while it is 2,670 kg/ha in Vietnam.
In India, Maharashtra has the highest productivity at 1,300 kg/ha despite having a potential of 5,000-6,000 kg/ha.
“There are hybrids and selections of cashew in the cashew research stations in Maharashtra and Goa with a potential to yield about 40 kg per plant, i.e., 8,000 kg/ha at the 14th year of planting. It is, of course, a late variety which can be improved,” he said.
Density planting
At present, there are no compact, dwarf and early bearing varieties available in the country and as a result, density planting cannot be undertaken. It is not known to the farmers.
This is an important area where the CEPC Lab wanted to concentrate, he said.
The major components of the project include development of standards for raw nuts and popularising the same; training farmers in harvest and post-harvest operations; training workers on hygiene/sanitation in processing units; and developing and popularising high-yielding cashew crops.
A total of 37 cashew varieties have been developed and released.
Among them, 25 are selections and 12 are hybrids. 21 varieties are exportable grade kernel producing (W180-W240).
Other components
Other project components are development of agricultural and horticultural techniques like soft wood grafting, soil and water conservation technique in high density planting, vermin-composting of the cashew biomass, pruning, top-working for rejuvenation of senile orchards, plant protection techniques for controlling tea mosquito, stem and root borer attacks, irrigation and drip irrigation techniques, fertigation, application of plant growth regulators and intercropping in cashew orchard.
Besides, introduction of the concept of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) among the farmers and developing a scheme for certification under GAP quality system, and thus institutionalising the farming activity to a market oriented operation, are also included in the project.
The project could be implemented in three years at a total cost of Rs 90,43,000 and financial assistance from Nabard has been sought, Dr Potty added.
Dr V.P. Potty, Head of the Laboratory, told Business Line that setting up of such a development centre has become inevitable for boosting raw nut production and processing, given the slow pace of growth at present in this sector.
Low productivity, long gestation period to get the maximum yield, and large areas of senile plantations are some of the major problems which needed to be surmounted, he said.
The current productivity of cashew per hectare in India is around 800 kg, while it is 2,670 kg/ha in Vietnam.
In India, Maharashtra has the highest productivity at 1,300 kg/ha despite having a potential of 5,000-6,000 kg/ha.
“There are hybrids and selections of cashew in the cashew research stations in Maharashtra and Goa with a potential to yield about 40 kg per plant, i.e., 8,000 kg/ha at the 14th year of planting. It is, of course, a late variety which can be improved,” he said.
Density planting
At present, there are no compact, dwarf and early bearing varieties available in the country and as a result, density planting cannot be undertaken. It is not known to the farmers.
This is an important area where the CEPC Lab wanted to concentrate, he said.
The major components of the project include development of standards for raw nuts and popularising the same; training farmers in harvest and post-harvest operations; training workers on hygiene/sanitation in processing units; and developing and popularising high-yielding cashew crops.
A total of 37 cashew varieties have been developed and released.
Among them, 25 are selections and 12 are hybrids. 21 varieties are exportable grade kernel producing (W180-W240).
Other components
Other project components are development of agricultural and horticultural techniques like soft wood grafting, soil and water conservation technique in high density planting, vermin-composting of the cashew biomass, pruning, top-working for rejuvenation of senile orchards, plant protection techniques for controlling tea mosquito, stem and root borer attacks, irrigation and drip irrigation techniques, fertigation, application of plant growth regulators and intercropping in cashew orchard.
Besides, introduction of the concept of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) among the farmers and developing a scheme for certification under GAP quality system, and thus institutionalising the farming activity to a market oriented operation, are also included in the project.
The project could be implemented in three years at a total cost of Rs 90,43,000 and financial assistance from Nabard has been sought, Dr Potty added.
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