Maharashtra's Cashew Industry: A Vision for Growth

Maharashtra is taking bold steps to elevate its cashew industry, aiming to position its cashews as a globally recognized brand. The Maharashtra Cashew Board has unveiled plans to expand cultivation, improve processing facilities, and promote cashew exports. According to Cashew Board Director Parsharam Patil, these initiatives will reduce dependency on imported raw materials while increasing local cashew production.

Expanding Maharashtra’s Cashew Cultivation for Increased Production

The Cashew Board has set an ambitious target to expand high-density, high-yielding cashew plantations across 12,000 hectares in Maharashtra over the next three years. This USD 0,948 million project is expected to increase output to 6,000 tonnes by year three and 12,000 tonnes by the fourth year. Replanting in declining cultivation areas and encouraging organic farming are core components of this strategy.

Key initiatives include:

• High-Density Planting: Planting more trees per hectare to maximize output.
• Farmer Training: Equipping local farmers with modern techniques to enhance productivity.
• Organic Farming Promotion: Supporting sustainable farming practices for higher-quality cashews.
• Cashew Nurseries: Developing nurseries to meet demand for premium planting material.

Improving Cashew Processing and Expanding Exports from Maharashtra

Maharashtra is the second-largest cashew-producing state in India, contributing to a quarter of the country’s total cashew production. However, the state faces challenges in processing facilities. Many processing units operate at a cottage level, lacking modern technology. The state also relies heavily on importing raw cashew nuts and ranks seventh in exports.

Key solutions include:

• Upgrading Processing Units: Modernizing facilities with advanced technology to improve efficiency.
• Developing Export Clusters: Targeted growth in Kolhapur, Sindhudurg, and Ratnagiri.
• Improving Port Facilities: Strengthening export infrastructure at JSW Ratnagiri port.
• Promoting Cashew Exports: Collaborating with APEDA to enhance global visibility.

Diversifying Cashew Products for Global Markets

Maharashtra is tapping into the potential of cashew by-products, such as the often-overlooked cashew apple. Plans include:

• Producing Cashew Apple Wine: Expected to increase farmer incomes by 20%.
• Creating Nutritious Products: Utilizing cashew apple juice for nutrition programs and baby food.
• Utilizing By-Products: Exploring the use of cashew apple peel for livestock fodder and juice for alcohol production.

Addressing Challenges in Maharashtra’s Cashew Industry

Despite significant progress, Maharashtra’s cashew industry faces challenges such as climate change, pest outbreaks, and market volatility. The Cashew Board is addressing these issues through modern farming techniques and partnerships with farmer-producer organizations to stabilize incomes and create rural employment opportunities.

Conclusion

With targeted initiatives in cashew cultivation, processing, and export, Maharashtra is poised to revolutionize its cashew industry and make a lasting impact on the global market. By focusing on high-yielding varieties, modernized processing, and diversification into value-added products, Maharashtra is well-positioned to reduce import dependency and build a global identity for its cashews.





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