Mangaluru: Despite rising domestic demand and a steady surge in exports, cashew farmers across India continue to struggle with unstable incomes, largely due to sharp fluctuations in raw cashew nut prices. Now, an effort is on to bring growers together under a common platform and strengthen their bargaining power.The Puttur-based All India Cashew Growers’ Association is stepping up efforts to organise farmers nationwide. With ICAR Directorate of Cashew Research (DCR) former director Dr M Gangadhar Nayak as the association’s president, plans are to launch a nationwide membership drive aimed at building a strong, unified voice for the sector.Although the association was formed in 2020, its activities slowed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “Having worked closely with farmers across the country through the DCR, we felt the need to strengthen a national-level farmers’ organisation. There is considerable govt support available, but much of it is not reaching growers. Despite rising domestic and export demand, farmers continue to receive low and inconsistent prices. A significant share of profits is absorbed by intermediaries and processing sectors, leaving growers with limited returns. This has discouraged expansion and reduced farmer interest in cashew cultivation,” Dr Nayak said.He pointed out that recent budgetary allocations indicate a renewed focus on cashew development, and the association intends to leverage this momentum. A key priority will be promoting value addition, particularly through cashew apple-based products, which remain largely underutilised despite their commercial potential.According to an estimate, India’s cashew cultivation spans nearly 12.1 lakh hectares, with an annual production exceeding 8 lakh tonnes. The crop is widely grown across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and parts of the Northeast. In 2024-25, India’s cashew exports totalled $369.2 million, with major destinations including the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Japan, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.As part of its outreach efforts, the association recently launched a dedicated website to connect with farmers and share information. “We initiated this effort for the betterment of farmers. A united platform can ensure their voices are heard and their livelihoods protected,” Dr Nayak added.
