Cashew nuts are a crunchy and tasty nut in India, which are consumed in high quantities and used to make many famous sweets and confectionery in many dishes. Cashew nut cultivation and consumption are notable, but did you know that cashew nuts are not native to India?

They were introduced to India from Brazil for reforestation and soil conservation. But its cultivation started in India for its sweet nuts and became the third largest producer of cashew nuts. Now, states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa, Goa, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and others.

Also read: SRI method of rice cultivation: best practises, high yielding varieties for Indian farmers.

Cashew nut cultivation in India

Cashew cultivation is primarily best in the peninsular and coastal regions. Some industries that process cashews are situated in these regions, including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. These industries provide substantial employment to villagers, mostly females.

Cashews are exported to other countries and used in India to make different things:

The most desirable and tasty sweet in India, kaju Katli, is made up of Cashew nuts and sugar.
Cashew nuts are used to make sweets, ice creams, confectionery, gravies and curries.
They are eaten as a snack, raw and roasted.
Cashew milk is made for vegan people.
Cashew apples are consumed in juices and liquor.
Butter is made from cashews, called cashew butter.

Also read: Mulberry Cultivation: Silky Soil Secrets Varieties for Farmers.

How to start Cashew nut cultivation in India

To start cashew nut cultivation in India, you should know the soil requirements, pesticides and fertilisers, which variety to use, the initial cost to begin the farming, and the profit margin in the cultivation.

Top varieties of cashew nuts:

Maharashtra: Vengurla -1,2,3,4,5,6, and 7.
Orissa: Bhubneshwar-1.
Tamil Nadu – Virudhachalam -1,2,3, VRI 4, etc.
Karnataka: Ullal – 1, Ullal – 2, Chintamani -1, etc.
Kerala: Amruth, Anagha, Sulabha, Dharashree, Dhana, etc.
Goa: Goa -1.
West Bengal: Jhargram -1.

Climate and soil: Cashew trees require a tropical climate, and the optimum temperatures range from 20 – 30 degrees Celsius. The annual rainfall required is 1000 – 2000 mm. They require a well-defined dry season of at least four months for proper nut maturation. They can grow in poor soil, by adding fertilisers and manure increases the growth of the trees and fruit. Sandy and loamy soils are best for it. They are generally cultivated in the coastal areas and peninsular India.

To know todays rate of cashew nuts, check out: Goa mandi rate, Kerala mandi rate, Tamil nadu mandi rate, karnataka mandi rate here on the shuru app.

Planting: Farmers use softwood grafts of improved, high-yielding cultivars. For conventional planting, 60×60×60 cm pits are dug with a 7×7 m spacing. After that, a mixture of soil, neem cake, and farmyard manure is poured into the pits.

Harvesting: Cashew trees begin to produce nuts in the third year, reaching their maximum output between the ages of eight and twelve. In India, March through May is usually the prime harvesting season. To lower the moisture level, the nuts are taken out of the cashew apples and left in the sun for a few days.

Also read: Lemon Cultivation: Natural Pest Control for Farmers.

Yield and economics

Modernisation efforts have improved cashew plantation output significantly. Farmers can now greatly boost yields by using newer dwarf varieties and high-density planting methods. Traditional varieties yield around 0.25 tonnes per hectare, but high-density planting—where trees are spaced more closely—can produce up to 1000 kg per acre.

Although the profitability of cashew production varies, farmers can achieve high returns by managing plantations well and adopting modern techniques. The cashew industry also produces valuable byproducts, such as cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), which serves multiple uses in various industrial applications.

Conclusion

Cashew cultivation can be profitable to new farmers by choosing the right variety, right cultivation methods and advanced technologies. Raw cashews are sold in India for more than 1000/kg and are in high demand. Processed cashew nuts, like cashew butter, cashew snacks, cashew milk, and cashew sweets, are sold at even higher prices. This crunchy snack can make your farming profitable in India. Nowadays, states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are also starting cashew farming with advanced technology and information.

Check out the mandi price of cahew nuts in differet cities on your mobile: Dadri mandi rate, Mumbai mandi rate, Satna mandi rate, Nagpur mandi rate, and Kolaras mandi rate.

FAQs:

1. How long do cashew nuts take to grow?

Cashew trees take about three to five years to start producing nuts after planting. Commercial yields begin around year 7, and the tree continues to bear fruit for 30 to 40 years with proper care.

2. Which soil is best to grow cashew trees?

Cashew nuts are best grown in sandy loam or laterite soil with a slightly acidic or neutral pH of 5.5 – 7. Cashew nut needs soil that does not retain water.

3. How many cashews can grow in one acre?

In one acre, wth proper spacing, there can be 200 trees, and each tree yields around seven to ten kilograms annually after maturity. So, one acre can produce around 1,400 to 2,000 kg of raw cashew nuts. This quantity depends upon variety and conditions.

4. How to grow cashew nuts?

Growing cashew nuts requires choosing proper varieties, preparing the land with deep ploughing and organic manure. Seeds should be planted with proper spacing. Farmers should be aware of watering and pruning needs. They should also know about the fertilisers to use, pest and disease care and harvesting care.

5. How are cashew nuts consumed?

Cashew nuts are consumed in various ways:
– Raw or roasted as snacks.
– Salter, spiced or coated for flavours.
– Used in sweets, gravies, ice creams and curries.
– Cashew butter as a spread.
– Cashew milk.
– Cashew apples are consumed in the form of juice or liquor.