Cashewnut: a dollar earning crop of waste lands and an indispensable seed in every family considering its’ nutritional advancement as well as unique & catchy taste

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) a native of Brazil has acclimatized and adapted well to Indian climate and praised the world over for its delicious and nutritious kernels. Being introduced by the Portuguese sailors to the Malabar coast during 16th century it has travelled a long way to earn the status of “a Dollar earning crop‟ from a mere “Crop of waste lands‟. Cashew is a tropical, evergreen, perennial tree with a darkish-green leathery foliage, spreading branches and very irregular crown. The flowers are borne in a panicle that consists of three types of flowers name hermaphrodite (bisexual), male and sterile flowers. Actual fruit is the nut and apple is rather a pseudo fruit which is nothing but a swollen receptacle. The colour and shape of the apple varies with cultivars ranging from yellow, greenish yellow to red. Apple weighs about ten times more than that of nut and the nut weight usually ranges from 3 to 15 g. Cashew being tropical crop can tolerate higher temperatures but is highly sensitive to frost. The optimum temperature range for successful cultivation is about 20 to 30degreesCelsius. The annual precipitation of 100cm to 200 cm is ideal for cashew. Coincidence of flowering with high rain fall or excess humidity leads to incidence of pests and diseases. Though cashew is not Cashew, a perennial tree well known as “poor man’s crop‟ is a source of highly priced cashew nuts. India being the leading producer, consumer and second largest exporter of cashew in the world, has a prime position in cashew trade in the world market. But the productivity level of Indian cashew is far less than that of its close competitors viz., Vietnam, Nigeria, Cote de ‟Ivoire, Philippines etc. The cashew processing sector in India is one of the largest in the world and has given huge employment to rural people especially the women folk. Some of the cashews processing industries in India are still under unorganized sector. Increasing demand for the nuts has necessitated the increased production. The cashew industry plays a vital role in the economies of many producing countries, providing employment opportunities and income generation opportunities by contributing to rural development. This global industry not only supports livelihoods but also fosters economic growth, generating export revenues in cashew-producing regions. These impacts are significantly improves the socioeconomic conditions for millions, particularly women in rural communities.