Holistic and Sustainable Development of Cashew Sector in Kerala Action

Plan by State Horticulture Mission - Kerala

Introduction
Cashew is an important commercial crop of Kerala. Cashew is an important
dry fruit and earned good foreign earning in each year and it is largely cultivated in
all districts in the past years.
On analyzing the area of last 15 years, it is seen that cashew cultivation is
decreasing year by year. The area under cashew cultivation during 2013-14 is
49,105 Ha with a production of 33375Tonnes where as it was 89718 Ha. and 65867
Tonnes during 2001-02, a decrease of more than 45%. As per Agricultural statistics
report of Department of Economics and Statistics, Kerala State The area under
cultivation of cashew is maximum in Kannur district and the contribution to total
area during 2013-14 is 43%. Kannur district also contributed for about 63%
production, and Kasaragod district about 19% of Kerala.
Kerala accounts for 15 % of cashew production in the country.

Cashew

processing units of Kerala, which share more than 90% of the total capacity at the
All India level, finds it extremely difficult even to maintain one-third of its capacity.
Processed cashew kernels have good demand in international markets. Promotion of
high density planting with high yielding cashew grafts is imminent.
Cashew cultivation is now gradually reverting back as a major contributor to
Keralas economy, as

demand for rubber, which had once taken the place of

cashew in Kerala, is on a decline. In order to bring cashew sector to its maximum

potential and for the holistic and sustainable development of cashew sector in
Kerala, State Horticulture Mission-Kerala conducted/organized a brain storming
session in which farmers and Deputy Director of Agriculture (H) of respective
districts, viz; Kannur, Kozhikode, Kasaragod and Malappuram had attended.
Outcome of the brainstorming session
The constraints and opportunities in the sector was deliberated to a great
extend in the brainstorming session. The following were the outcomes,

a. Awareness creation/training on possibilities and advanced scientific

methods of cashew cultivation is a major requirement for farmers.
b. The farmers should be trained/enabled to select suitable varieties
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.

according to their needs/possibilities

Value addition and marketing should be promoted.
Cashew Farmers clusters should be formed.
Avoid middlemen
Fenny like products from cashew apple
Availability of quality planting materials.
Adequate storage and facilities ..to make available throughout the year
Assured markets

k. There are some constraints in cashew production which limits the

productivity of cashew per unit area.

Senile and seedling origin plantations with low yield.

Cashew is a neglected plantation crop among the farmers and

generally grown under neglected condition.

The land which is not suitable for other plantation crops only are
available to cashew crop. Hence, the land which is available for
cashew is usually eroded and degraded with poor soil fertility.

Farmers are not fully aware of the latest cashew production

technologies due to inadequate transfer of technology.

Even if farmers are aware of the latest cashew production

technologies, non adoption of recommended package of practices to
the extent required.

Absence of compact and dwarf high yielding varieties, because of

which high density planting cannot be adopted to realize the full
potentiality of high density planting technology.

Though cashew apple production is about ten times that of nut

production by weight, most of the cashew apple is not utilized.

Possible solutions and strategies to overcome cashew production constraints

Development of compact and dwarf high yielding cashew variety

suitable for high density plantation.

Development of cost effective cashew production technologies.

Massive replanting programme to replace senile and unthrifty orchards

Increasing

productivity

by

adopting

improved

cashew

production technologies.

Enhancing the production of raw cashewnuts to reduce the imports

by expansion of cashew area.

Effective pest control measures for tea mosquito bug (TMB) /

cashew stem and root borers (CSRB).

Development of cashew based integrated farming systems.

Declaration of plantation crop status to cashew by all cashew

growing states.
Kerala has potential to expand 15000 ha area under coastal

horticulture.

It could be noted in Kerala that the increase in number of processing units and their
huge installed capacity had no influence on area under cashew and its production. With

narrow land holdings (1.2 ha) and expensive cost of cashew cultivation (Rs.17397/ ha), the
farmers could not get more profit from cashew than other plantation crops viz., rubber,
arecanut, coconut etc., and hence, they did not consider this crop as a commercial crop.
With the efforts of DCR and Co-ordinating centres of AICRP-Cashew and SAUs, over
40 high yielding cashew varieties were developed and released. Production of planting material
of high yielding varieties through softwood grafting technique has been greatly successful.
Various improved cashew production technologies such as nutrient management, canopy
management, intercropping, irrigation including drip irrigation, soil and water conservation
techniques, high density planting system, pruning technique, rejuvenation of senile orchards,
insect pest management etc. have been developed and are available to farmers. Due to the
efforts of all the concerned both in research and development, the status of cashew has
now been changed from a crop suitable for soil conservation and afforestation purpose
into a commercial plantation crop.

SWOT/constraints and suggestions

Action Plan
This being the initial

Role of SHM-K
Efforts are being made by State Horticulture Mission-Kerala to revive cashew cultivation
in Kerala since 2005-06 and upto 2011-12 has achieved the following:
S. No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Component
Model nursery (public)
Small nursery (public)
Small nursery (private)
Area expansion
Rejuvenation
IPM
Organic farming

Physical achievement
6 nos.
3 nos.
3 nos.
20349.6 ha
7651.69 ha
457.68 ha
132.00 ha

Financial achievement
( Rs. in lakh)
106.6531
8.98353
4.3215
1965.322
791.3337
5.4186
8.231

Interventions in cashew are also carried out by State Horticulture Mission -

Kerala through Kerala State Agency for Expansion of Cashew Cultivation (KSACC)
under the department of Industries, Government of Kerala. Sanction was accorded by
NHM for implementing the project Sustainable Cashew nut Production in Kerala.
The project is being implemented over a period of three years, 2012-13 being the fourth
year. The focus components include Production of planting materials, Establishment of
new gardens, Replanting/ rejuvenation of senile plantations, Organic farming,
Technology dissemination & frontline demonstration, Creation of water resources,
Pollination support through bee-keeping, Seminars and workshops, Farmers training and
Transfer of Technology, Post harvest management.

From 2009-10 to 2011-12, State Horticulture Mission-Kerala has achieved the

following for the promotion of cashew through KSACC:
S. No.

Component

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Model nursery (public)

Small nursery (public)
Area expansion
Rejuvenation
Creation of water resources
Vermicompost
HRD
Training of farmers

Physical achievement
1no.
15 nos.
13574 ha
817 ha
1no.
520 nos.
67

Financial achievement
( Rs. in lakh)
18.00
45.00
1679.59
242.28
4.6
210
4.3
11.89

The project is proposed to be continued for another four years focusing on the
identified deficit areas of the project and incorporating newly developed interventions
from time to time.
Thus, with the assistance of SHM-K, 7 model nurseries and 21 small nurseries
have been established, an area expansion of 33,924 ha. and rejuvenation in an area of
8,469 ha has been undertaken along with IPM, organic farming, creation of water
resources, vermicompost and training to the farmers.
The interventions of State Horticulture Mission Kerala have helped in
reducing the rate of decline in the area, production and productivity under cashew in
Kerala.

Area, Production & Productivity of Cashewnut in India

A - Area in '000 Ha.
P - Production in '000 MT.
APY - Average Productivity in Kg per Hectare.
1993-94
STATE

1994-95
AP
Y

1995-96
AP
Y

1996-97
AP
Y

1997-98
AP
Y

AP
Y

Kerala

1558 1402
1562 1192
1186 1400 100 1190 1340 114 1200 1000
925
781
850
10
00
00
00
00
00
0
00
00
0
00
00

Karnataka

7479 3154
7530 2640
8390 3760
8500 5200
8700 3500
500
400
550
690
460
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Goa

4616 1621
4750 1696
4960 1780
5100 2000
5200 2500
370
390
410
430
530
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Maharashtr
a

5122 4686 124 5820 3760 110 6670 6900 144 8000 8000 157 1035 6000 150
0
0
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
00
0
0

Tamil Nadu

9677 1920
9720 2200
7736 3093
7900 3000
8050 3000
203
232
330
390
390
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Andhra
Pradesh

7209 4657
7330 5870
1180 7160 100 1210 6000
1211 5000
723
880
830
690
0
0
0
0
80
0
0
00
0
00
0

Orissa

6019 4342
6060 3720
1018 4300
1050 4000
1086 4500
812
679
720
670
750
0
0
0
0
50
0
00
0
00
0

West
Bengal

6900 3990 596 7000 3280 490 8680 6960 870 9000 6000 870 9000 6000 860

Others

1490

TOTAL

STATE

360 299 1900

300 250

1020
0

840 560

1000
1620
8000 870
9000 610
0
0

5654 3483
5772 3216
6349 4178
6590 4300
7009 3600
694
631
720
835
740
20
50
00
40
70
30
00
00
00
00

1998-99
A

APY

1999-2000
A

APY

2000-01
A

APY

2001-02
A

APY

2002-03
A

APY

Kerala

122 130 1100 122 100 850 100

76

765 100

87

870 100 90 890

Karnataka

89

40

500

91

60

700

91

42

500

90

40

470

92

40 470

Goa

53

20

420

54

30

610

55

25

500

55

30

590

55

30 660

Maharashtra

119

85

150
147
121 125
121
0
0

98

105
100
143 103 880 148 110
0
0

Tamil Nadu

83

35

460

86

59

750

90

46

570

Andhra
Pradesh

101

80

800 103 100 1100 130

75

650 135

86

720 136 90 740

85

45

540

92

50 570

Orissa

114

50

750

84

40

670

90

59

700

110

59

570 120 70 810

West Bengal

890

900

900

780

Others

16

12

860

17

12

800

19

10

750

18

12

760

18

12 760

706 460 800 686 520 900 700 450 710 750 470 710 770

50
760
0

TOTAL

2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

STATE

2009-10

A
A
A
A
A
A
AP
A P P A P P A P P A P P A P P A P P A P
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y

Kerala

1
1
9 89
6 90 8 6 90 8 7 90 8 7 90
0
0
5 0
4 0 0 7 0 0 2 0 4 8 0
1
2

7 7 10 7 6 95
0 5 71 2 6 7

Karnata
ka

1
1
1
4 70
5 70
5 71
9 4 50 9 4 68
0
0
0
5 0
2 0
6 0
4 6 0 5 3 0
0
2
3

1
1
6 56
5 46
0
1
0 1
3 1
7
8

Goa

5 3 69 5 2 66 5 2 69 5 2 69 5 3 70
5 2 0 5 6 0 5 7 0 5 9 0 5 1 0

5 3 54 5 2 47
5 0 5 5 6 3

1 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
1 2
13
15
15
Maharas
11
12
4 2
6 7
6 8
6 9
6 1
00
00
00
htra
00
00
8 0
0 4
0 3
4 7
7 0

1 2
1 1
13
11
7 2
7 9
23
86
0 5
5 8

1
1
1
1
5 64
6 67
6 70
9 5 60
5 61
0
2
2
2
6 0
0 0
5 0
5 1 0
3 0
5
1
3
3

1
1
6 51
6 47
3
3
8 9
0 2
1
3

1
1
1
1
1 1
9 88
9 89
90
Andhra
9 75
8 84
3
5
7
7
7 0
2 0
9 0
0
Pradesh
5 0
8 0
6
0
0
1
1 7

1 1
1
61
9 54
8 1
8
5
9 4
2 2
3

Orissa

1
1
1
1
1
7 86
8 86
9 86
7 85
7 81
2
2
2
2
3
8 0
4 0
0 0
1 0
4 0
4
6
0
5
1

1
1
9 69
8 64
3
4
5 3
4 1
7
3

West
Bengal

9 9

76
80 1 1 95 1 1 10 1 1 10
9 8
0
0 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 00

1 1 10 1 1 90
1 1 00 1 0 9

Tamil
Nadu

90
90
10
Gujarat - - - - - - 4 4 0 4 4 0 4 4 00 0 0 0 0 0 0

NE
States

- - - - - - 4 0 0 5 1 0 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Others

40
50
50
1 1 79 1 1 80
3 1
5 2
5 2
0
0
0
8 6 0 8 4 0

1 1 64 1 1 70 1 1 75

3 1 63 3 1 68
0 9 3 3 7 0

890

7 5
8 5
8 5
8 6
8 6
81
82
86
TOTA
80
81
8 3
2 4
3 7
5 2
6 6
5
0
0
L
0
0
0 5
0 4
7 3
4 0
8 5

8 6
9 6
77
69
9 9
2 1
8
5
3 5
3 3

About Cashew & Cocoa

:: SCHEMES / PROGRAMMES ::
A : CASHEW

Programmes

Objectives

1) New Planting The objective of

of Cashew with the programme is
normal density
to develop new
plantations with
clones of high
yielding varieties
of cashew in the
farmers field.

Pattern of
assistance

The beneficiary will be

assisted as per the NHM
guidelines. (See cost of
cultivation) 50% of the
cost subject to Rs.20000/per ha. limited to 4 ha per
beneficiary in three
installments of 60:20:20
subject to the survival rate
of 75% in second year
and 90% in third year.
85% of the financial outlay
will be released by the
Directorate of Cashewnut
and Cocoa Development
to the State Development
Agency / SHM and the
SHM shall add 15% and
provide 100% assistance
to the beneficiaries.

Procedure

The planting materials

required for the
newplanting will be
made available either
from the Corporations
or from the State Agrl.
Universities/Research
institutes and
recognized Private
nurseries who have
established regional
Nurseries with
Revolving Fund
assistance from the
Directorate of
Cashewnut & Cocoa
Development. The
execution of the
programme will be
monitored by the
DCCD through field
inspection .
The members of the
committee who are
inspecting the
implementation of the
programme will be
provided with a
honorarium of Rs.
500 per day or TA/DA
as per rule in force

2.

Replacing Identify clusters

The pattern of assistance

The planting materials