Go scientific for better returns, cashew farmers advised

 Farmers shou-ld make cashew cultivation a profitable venture by incorporating scientific and technical inputs, said Agricultural and Horticultural University Extension Director Dr T H Gowda.

Speaking at the Cashew Field Day organised by the Agriculture Research Station at Ullal and Agricultural and Horticultural University here on Thursday, he said that there is a demand for cashew nuts in the international market. “Farmers should make cashew cultivation a profitable venture. At present, there is an average yield of four kg per cashew plant in the coastal belt. This needs to be increased to 10 to 12 kg per plant,” he said, also suggesting, “Along with cashew cultivation, farmers should grow elephant foot yam and fruits to gain additional income.”

He added that if enough water is supplied to the cashew cultivators of the plateau region, then the yield per acre will increase. The number of cultivators is coastal district is less, he said.He also said that oil can be extracted from the skin of cashew nuts.

Cashew farmers Michael Rodrigues of Kollur, Aithappa Naik of Madnoor in Puttur, Canute Aranha from Kilpady in Mulki, Shyamsundar Shastri of Kolnad in Manchi, Shyamala Shastri of Prakrithi Food and Abdul Azeez of Kolya were felicitated on the occasion.