The HIndu

• Farmers told to take up plantation on a scientific basis 
• Choose cashew variety based on local conditions'
• Plans to introduce` it to non-traditional growing areas

Mangalore, Mar 25: Speakers at the inaugural function of "Cashew field day", organised by the University of Agricultural Sciences at its Agricultural Research Station, Ullal-Kapikad near here on Saturday, highlighted potential of cashew as a major horticultural crop for the future.

They also urged farmers to take up cashew plantation on a scientific basis and be part of an overall effort to increase national production of cashew kernels.

S.D. Sampath Samrajya, member of the Board of Regent, University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), who presided over the function, said that the move by India to import nearly 50 per cent of its requirements of cashew kernels was negating gains of exporting finished value-added cashew products.

The station had come up with high yielding varieties of cashew in "Ullal" and UN-50 series, he said, and advised farmers to choose a variety based on local conditions.

Admitting that shortage of labour could upset best-laid plans in this labour intensive cropping pattern, Mr. Samrajya, asked farmers not to neglect their cashew plantations at any cost.

C. Nagaraj, Deputy Director, Department of Horticulture, said that the department had distributed 6.4 lakh high yielding variety of grafted saplings to farmers last year under the National Horticulture Mission.

The department would carry out a similar exercise during the next fiscal, Mr. Nagaraj said, adding that it would also lay equal emphasis on area expansion programme and introduce the crop to non-traditional growing areas.

T.K. Prabhakar Shetty, Director (Research), UAS, said India was producing half its estimated requirement of 10 lakh tonnes of raw cashew nuts and importing the rest. Noting that the 1,000-odd cashew processing units in the State were working below capacity due to non-availability of raw cashew nuts, he said the university was focusing on rejuvenation of old cashew plantations and promoting organic farming in new plantations.

Sushma Janardhan, president of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, inaugurated the event.

Narahari Prabhu from Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers' Association, G. Ishwarappa, Director (Extension), UAS, and P.K. Purushottam, project officer, SKDRDP, spoke.