The Annual Cashew Day of NRC for Cashew was held on 12^th February 2008 at Kemminje campus of the Research centre. The programme was attended by about 350 farmers and other dignitaries. In the morning the visitors and farmers were taken to various experimental plots, demonstration plots and scientists explained the activities and salient cashew technologies that were developed by NRCC and useful to cashew farmers. Information on varietal improvement, softwood grafting, field planting, fertilizer management, training and pruning, soil and water conservation measures, high density planting, organic farming, and processing of cashew were provided to the visiting farmers. The farmers were taken to Demonstration of Technology Developed (DTD) plot, Soil and Water Conservation plot, Rejuvenation plot, Nursery, Museum (Exhibition) and Engineering Workshop to explain the different activities of the Research Centre.

Later a seminar was organized with a theme “Technologies for Organic Production of Cashew”. Dr. M.G. Nayak, Principal Scientist (Hort), welcomed the gathering. The Chief Guest of the meeting Mr. G. Giridhar Prabhu, Proprietor of Achal Industries, Mangalore expressed concern over the reducing share of India in the export of cashew. He opined that there is a good demand for organically produced cashew in the export market. Sri. Anna Vinayachandra, a progressive farmer and ex-Member of Legislative Council stressed the need to attract domestic market of cashew rather than relying solely on export market as in the case of Vanilla, where the growers experienced huge loss as Vanilla was only export oriented crop.. He hoped that cashew would be recognized as ‘National Dry Fruit / Nut. Sri. R.M.N. Sahai, Managing Director, Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation, Mangalore felt that progress would be achieved in cashew production in view of financial assistance available to farmers under National Horticulture Mission. Sri. N. Achutha Moodathaya, a progressive farmer, thanked the scientists of NRCC for the guidance received with respect to cashew cultivation. He requested that a quarterly magazine on cashew may be brought out for the benefit of farming community. He felt that cashew production system should be brought under organic practices in a phased manner. Sri. A. Somanna, Senior Asst. Director of Horticulture, Puttur, explained about various activities and programmes available from the Dept. of Horticulture, Govt. of Karnataka, under National Horticulture Mission for the cashew farmers. Dr. N. Yadukumar, Principal Scientist (Agr.) gave a detailed lecture on organic farming in cashew. He said that the incidence of Tea Mosquito Bug (TMB) was low in organic cashew plot. He explained about recycling of cashew biomass for compost production. Dr. M.G. Bhat, Director of NRCC, who presided over the meeting informed about the availability of extension literatures and training programmes on cashew for the benefit of cashew farmers. He also requested the farmers to realize the importance of increasing the production of cashew for attaining self sufficiency in India in view of global competition for the procurement of raw cashewnuts for processing. Further Dr. Bhat requested the farmers to make best use of the technologies developed by NRCC and other Cashew Research Centres under AICRP-Cashew and under State Agricultural University. In the interactive session, the queries of the farmers were clarified by the scientists of the Research Centre and officials of Development Departments. The programme came to close with vote of thanks by Dr. P.S. Bhat, Senior Scientist (Entomology).
   
   

Source: NRC for Cashew, Puttur, Karnataka