Agriculture Department to launch scheme to boost cashew production

Team Herald
PANJIM: In an attempt to further boost cashew cultivation in the State, the Agriculture Department has decided to launch a scheme to sell organic manure to farmers at subsidised rates.
Agriculture Director Ulhas Pai Kakode said, “We will supply organic manure to cashew growers at subsidized rate which will help them improve productivity. The manure consists of neem cake and rock phosphate.”
“We have taken suggestions from agriculture experts on this. The growers will be provided with manure at a marginal rate through farmers’ cooperative societies,” Kakode said, adding that currently cashew plantations lack proper maintenance due to which the yield is stagnant.
Goa has cashew cultivation spread over 55,000 hectares. In the first phase, the department intends to take up around 1500 ha and gradually cover the remaining areas. As per records, on an average, each cashew tree produces one to one and half kg of nuts annually. This productivity, he stated, can surge up to 15 to 20 kg per tree if the tree is given proper and quality organic manure.
Goa produces 25,000 tonnes of cashew per annum but the processing industry has to still source nuts from outside the State even from Africa.
“Once production boosts, it will help the State’s economy besides improving the financial condition of the farmers. There won’t be need to import cashew nuts,” Kakode said.