Call to increase quality, output of cashew nut

Rampachodavaram: Technology should be adopted to obtain high productivity through best management methods in cashew nut cultivation, said Project Horticulture Officer B Srinivasulu.

Addressing the tribal horticulture farmers after inaugurating the two-day training programme here on Tuesday. Regional Horticulture Centre, Eluru, is conducting the training programme for the farmers of seven mandals.

Srinivasulu said that cashew nut cultivation exists in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari districts and five lakh people are getting livelihood from cashew cultivation.

Stating that cashew nut which were in high demand abroad, were getting affected by lack of best management methods and diseases, he stressed the need for awareness among farmers to produce quality crop.

Though the research and extension programmes were being organised on aspects like new cashew nut varieties, best management methods and crop protection, he made it clear that the onus is on everyone to make sure that fruits of these efforts reach farmers.

Srinivasulu stressed the need for steps to enhance the productivity of cashew nut which has the capacity to earn foreign exchange on a large scale, but is struggling due to reduction in average productivity.

Regional Horticulture Centre principal N C Kotaiah said cashew nut cultivation could be made profitable by raising plantations at high density conditions, by adopting water as well as nutritious management systems for tender plants, clipping plants and inter-crop cultivation. He explained the importance of cashew crop protection, cashew nut processing and value-addition.

Programme Coordinator, Krishi Vignana Kendram, A Srinivasu, said that KVK was striving to create new varieties and varieties which would give huge yields for the benefit of farmers. He called upon tribal farmers to make use of this research and get more income.