Stakeholders meet on Cashew development organised

28^th January 2025, Goa 

The Directorate of Cashewnut and Cocoa Development (DCCD), Kochi, organized a national-level stakeholders' meeting on cashew development at the ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa. The meeting aimed to formulate a comprehensive action plan for the sustainable growth of the cashew sector in India.

The Chief Guest, Dr N.K. Patle, Additional Commissioner of Horticulture, Govt of India, 

The Guest of Honor, Dr Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa. The event saw the participation of several eminent officials, including Shri Kumaravel Pandian IAS, Director of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Government of Tamil Nadu; Shri Sunil Mahindrakar IAS, Managing Director, Maharashtra State Horticulture and Medicinal Plant Board, Government of Maharashtra; and Shri Thomas Samuel, Mission Director, State Horticulture Mission, Government of Kerala. Senior officials from state departments and scientists from SAUs from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Goa also contributed valuable insights.

Dr Femina, Director, DCCD, presented the Government of India’s initiatives for cashew development. State-specific presentations highlighted the status, challenges, and opportunities for cashew cultivation in each region. 

Key contributions included discussions on research advancements, High-Density Planting, and scientific pest management as well as the role of corporations in replanting programmes, presented by representatives from OSCDC and GFDC.

The meeting concluded with key recommendations to enhance the cashew sector. It was suggested that areas for both normal and high-density planting be identified in traditional and non-traditional regions. Crop and varietal suitability should be assessed for expansion programs, with state agencies, FPOs, and NGOs involved in implementation. Replanting efforts should focus on replacing senile plantations rather than rejuvenation, and region-specific mother gardens with high-yielding varieties should be established. Existing DCCD-accredited nurseries should be strengthened, and new ones should be set up to produce quality planting material. Demonstration units showcasing advanced technologies, such as high-density planting, pruning, and pest management, should be developed. Additionally, scientific guidelines, training manuals, and mobile apps in local languages should be created to ensure accessibility, and awareness programs on advanced technologies should be included in promotional and developmental activities.

The collaborative efforts and actionable insights from this meeting are expected to play a pivotal role in driving the development of India’s cashew sector.

(Source: ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa)