The Cashew Fest was inaugurated on Friday evening in Panjim by Minister for Art & Culture Govind Gaude, in the presence of Dr Deviya Rane – Chairperson of Goa Forest Development Corporation (GFDC) and Poriem MLA, Ganesh Gaonkar – GTDC Chairman and Sanvordem MLA, Vasco MLA Daji Salkar, Kamal Datta – Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Umakant – Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Praveen Kumar Raghaw – Chief Conservator of Forests, and Nandkumar Parab – MD, GFDC.
On the first day of the three-day fest, the crowds streamed in to partake of the goodies in the 78 stalls. The stalls were given a mandate that 75% of their fare should have the cashew at its centre.
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In his speech, chief guest Govind Gaude urged the present generation not to sell land as cashews were grown on this land and it was like gold.
Dr Deviya Rane in her speech said the Cashew Fest represents a beautiful blend of tradition, culture and community empowerment. “Beyond mere festivity, it stands as a beacon of hope for cashew farmers and local communities, aiming to empower businesses, particularly women-led rural self-help groups, while preserving and promoting Goan cultural heritage,” she said.
The Poriem MLA pointed out that this year’s Cashew Fest promises a 3-day extravaganza, offering engaging events and activities such as traditional cashew processing demonstrations, technical sessions by renowned panelists, a delectable variety of cashew-based dishes, captivating sundowner experiences, and performances by national Bollywood playback singers, local bands and DJs, and also a fashion show. “Our primary aim in celebrating the Cashew Fest is to honour and celebrate the rich legacy of cashew cultivation and processing in Goa. It’s not just about festivity; it’s about empowerment and preservation. We strive to empower local businesses, particularly women-led rural self-help groups, by providing them with a platform to showcase their value-added cashew products,” Dr Deviya said.
While pointing out that the festival serves as a hub for discussions on crucial topics such as improving cashew yields and addressing challenges faced by farmers, the GFDC Chairperson said, “Through technical sessions and workshops, we aim to foster collaboration and innovation, paving the way for a thriving cashew industry that sustains and empowers local communities for years to come.”
Currently, raw cashew production stands at 25,800 tonnes annually, with approximately 20 processing industries in operation, employing over 3,500 workers. The cashew sector plays a vital role in Goa’s economy, and the GFDC has been at the forefront of efforts to enhance cashew cultivation and processing.
Dr Deviya said the GFDC has rejuvenated approximately 354 hectares of cashew estates in the last two years and plans to expand this initiative by an additional 250 hectares. Goa, she said, is one of the main producers, processors and exporters of cashew nuts in the world. “Cashew is a way of life, and this festival is a glimpse of that,” she said.
The festival, Dr Deviya said, is dedicated to the unsung heroes – the cashew cultivators, self-help groups, and women from rural areas working in the plantations.
Later, speaking exclusively to O Heraldo, Dr Deviya said, “This is two times bigger entertainment, education and promotion of our cashew fruit. It is all about creating awareness about the fruit. The production, the processing and the export of cashew has dropped. To ensure it does not go extinct in times to come, the younger generation needs to take up our feni distillation process. It has to be profitable for this generation, and it will be if there is greater awareness, demand and supply, and if we can export it to every nook and corner of the world.”
The occasion was also marked by the unveiling of ‘Sylvan’ – a brand of GFDC, which provides services related to outdoor recreation, eco-friendly goods and educational services focussed on environmental awareness.
