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CHAPTER V
CASHEW CULTIVATION
5.1 Introduction
Cashewnut (Anacardium Occidentale L.) is an important tropical
tree crops. It is one of the major export earning crops which accounts
nearly Rs. 2515 crores contributing about 1.5 per cent of the total
Indian exports. It ranks second in international trade amongst the
major edible nuts after Vietnam. During the past two decades it gained
the status of horticulture crop. India has the distinction of being the
worlds largest producer of cashewnut.
The main fruit growing states in India are Maharashtra, Andhra
Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Orissa and West Bengal. The fruit
cultivation area in India during 2004-05 was 49.64 lakh hectares with
an annual production of 49295 thousands metric tones of fruits. The
cashew cultivation area in India was 8.55 lakh hectares with an annual
production of 5.73 lakh metric tones of raw cashew nuts.
Maharashtra is a much advanced state for horticulture which
occupies large area (13.46 lakh hectares) under fruit crops. State
constitutes 164000 hectares area under cashew that covers 19.20 per
cent of total area under cashew.
The Konkan region of Maharashtra comprising of Thane, Raigad,
Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts is the major track of cashew
cultivation in the state. This chapter deals with the origin of cashew,
importance, area, production and productivity, perspectives of cashew
cultivation in South Konkan.
Cashew apple (Plate 5.1) is famous for its high ascorbic acid
content (vitamin - c). It contains about 260 mg/kg. It is useful for
digestion. Various products can be made from the apples, such as fruit
juice, syrup canned fruit, candied fruit, pickles, jam, jelly, chutney,
alcoholic drink, wine, spirit, alcohol and vinegar. Fenny (wine) is
commonly prepared from cashew apple which is famous in Goa. In the
study region the cashew apples are sometimes used as animal feed.
Cashew liquor is prepared from apple which is used to treat
worm, sickness, cold, flue, toothache, fresh wounds and cuts, cramps
due to chilly weather, mascular pain, low blood pressure, loss of sleep
for aged people, cholera and diarrhea.
Table 5.1
Composition of Cashew Apple and Kernel
Cashew Apple
Sr. (proportion in per Cashew Kernel
Content
No. cent or mg / 100 (in percentage)
grams)
1 Moisture 87.5 per cent 5.9 per cent
2 Carbohydrate 11.6 per cent 22.0 per cent
3 Protein 0.2 per cent 21.0 per cent
4 Fat 0.1 per cent 47.0 per cent
5 Tannic acid 0.5 mg /100gm --
6 Minerals 0.2 per cent --
7 Carotine 0.09 --
8 Vitamin C 0.26 mg /100gm --
9 Calcium 0.01 mg /100gm 0.55 mg /100gm
10 Phosphorus 0.01 mg /100gm 0.45 mg /100gm
11 Iron (mg /100gm) 0.2 mg /100gm 5.0 mg /100gm
Source: Mandal, R. C. (2000): Cashew, Production and Processing
Technology, Published by AGROBIOS, India, P. 129.
90
Cashew kernels are rich source of protein (21 per cent), fat (47
per cent). Table 5.1 indicates the composition of cashew kernel. It has a
mild and pleasant taste, a delicious as well as delicate flavour having
high moisture value. It is an ideal appetizing snack and a complete food
in harmony with a modern diet. Roasting of kernels increases
characteristic aroma and improves its texture. It is widely used in
confectionary industry for flavouring in cakes, sweet meats, vegetable
dishes and chocolates.
Cashew kernel oil is extracted from the kernel residues, 40 per cent
oil can be obtained which is light-yellow in colour, sweetish, odourless,
non-desiccative, and rich in unsaturated fatty acids. It is edible oil.
The kernel oil can be used in the treatment of leprosy, warts, worms,
ulcers etc. (Mandal, 2000). It can be substituted for iodine. Kernel cake
is residue from peeled kernels, which is used for producing a butter
called 'Cashew Kernel Butter.'
Cashewnut shell liquid (CNSL) is highly cabstic-brown in colour
and indelible. Its role is probably to afford the fruit some natural
protection against insects. CNSL consists of two highly reactive
phenolic compounds i.e. anacardic acid (90 per cent) and cardol (10 per
cent). Cardol is used in colouring fish nets, painting furniture, books
and other stationery to prevent the attack of insects especially the
silver fish. It is also used as external application for leprosy, ring worm
etc. Cashew testa (skin of kernel) is a valuable by product of cashew
industry which contains about 40 per cent tannin. Cashew is a good
crop for hilly, varkas soil.
the Portuguese in the first half of the 16th century (Agnolioni and
Guilians, 1977). It is reported that cashew nut was introduced in the
Malabar Coast of India in the 16th century by the Portuguese. The
Malabar Coast probably served as a locus of dispersal to other centers
in India. Cashew is considered as a waste land crop grown for a
forestation and soil conservation of hilly area purposes. Cashew nut is
grown in Kerala. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa,
Goa, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Tripura and Pondicherry.
Table 5.2
India: Area and Production of Cashew
(Area in 000 Ha, Production in 000 Tonnes)
In 1960-61 there was 176 thousand hectares area under this crop
in the country having 111 thousand tonnes production (Table 5.2) and
in 2006-07, it was 854 and 620 respectively .During the period 1960-61
to 2006-07, the trend indicates rapid increase (0.855 million ha) in area
under cashew in India, where as production has also increased in equal
proportion. This is due to strong research support by various cashew
research institutes in India through varietals improvement, E.G.S., use
of pesticides and finance aid / loan facility to cashew cultivators
through various government support agencies.
Cashew occupies an area of 923 thousand hectares (Table 5.3)
and 613 thousand metric tone productions in the country. Kerala,
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Orissa are
the major states in cultivated area under cashew. Andhra Pradesh (183
thousand hectares) ranks first followed by Maharashtra (174 thousand
hectares) in area under cashew.
Table: 5.3
India: State wise Area and Production of Cashewnut
2009-10
States Area Production
in '000 Ha in '000 MT
Kerala 72 66
Karnataka 118 53
Goa 55 26
Maharashtra 175 198
Tamil Nadu 133 60
Andhra Pradesh 183 99
Orissa 143 84
West Bengal 11 10
Others 33 17
Total 923 613
Source: http://dacnet.nic.in/cashewcocoa/stat.htm#stat
93
like Chiplun (7.63 per cent) and Sangameshwar (6.94 per cent)
recorded positive change in area under cashew, where as Sawantwadi
(13.61 per cent) tahsil noted declining trend.
The analysis reveals that the study region has rapid growth in
area under cashew cultivation from 15818 hectares to 67442 hectares
(Table 5.6). The tahsils like Dapoli (0.86 to 8.08 per cent),
Sangameshwar (0.46 to 6.94 per cent) and Kankawali (1.89 to 10.98 per
cent) have recorded significant increase in percentage in area under
cashew due to use of fallow land for cashew farming through various
government schemes, as well as in Kankawali tahsil shift is from ragi
to cashew i. e. traditional crop to cash crop.
99
Table 5.6
South Konkan of Maharashtra
Tahsilwise Cashew Cultivated Area and Percentage to Region Total Average (Area in ha)
Sr. No. Name of Tahsil 1980-81 to 1984-85 1985-86 to 1989-90 1990-91 to 1994-95 1995-96 to 1999-2000 2000-01 to 2004-05
Average Area % Average Area. % Average Area % Average Area % Average Area %
1 Mandangad 70.40 0.44 531.40 3.00 276.80 0.91 1298.20 3.46 1988.20 2.85
2 Dapoli 135.40 0.86 775.80 4.39 2536.40 8.39 2525.00 6.73 5443.60 8.08
3 Khed 47.20 0.30 88.20 0.49 374.20 1.24 1358.00 3.62 3568.60 5.29
4 Guhagar 169.00 1.07 77.00 0.44 212.00 0.71 212.00 0.56 3568.20 4.44
5 Chiplun 3243.00 20.50 890.00 5.04 407.50 1.35 561.00 1.49 2991.20 7.63
6 Sangameshwar 71.20. 0.46 336.00 1.91 360.40 1.19 541.00 1.44 5140.20 6.94
7 Ratnagiri 312.00 1.98 1464.20 8.29 1517.00 5.02 2532.80 6.76 4680.20 4.56
8 Lanja 710.00 4.48 693.00 3.93 1258.40 4.17 3390.20 9.04 3078.20 4.90
9 Rajapur 604.00 3.82 576.60 3.27 733.00 2.43 1304.00 3.48 3308.00 5.02
10 Vaibhavawadi - - 333.33 1.89 308.60 1.03 1109.40 2.97 3382.20 2.38
11 Kanakawali 286.00 1.81 848.40 4.81 3485.00 11.50 3755.00 10.03 1610.80 10.98
12 Devagad 363.00 2.29 449.80 2.54 580.40 1.93 1092.20 2.92 7401.00 2.55
13 Malwan 1175.00 7.73 1447.40 8.19 3113.80 10.30 2936.80 7.84 1716.00 5.58
14 Kudal 1351.00 8.54 1585.80 8.98 2396.60 7.94 2721.40 7.27 3764.60 7.36
15 Vengurla 1960.00 12.39 1328.80 7.53 5257.20 17.39 2721.40 7.69 4965.20 3.82
16 Sawantwadi 5321.00 33.63 6234.60 35.30 7404.60 24.50 6728.40 17.76 9183.80 13.61
17 Dodamarg - - - - - 2878.00 6.73 2470.60 3.92
Total 15818 100.00 17660 100.00 30220 100.00 37466 100.00 67442 100.00
Source: Socio-economic Review and District Statistical Abstract of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg Districts,
1980-81 to 2005-06.
100
Table 5.7
Cashew Varieties Innovated By Regional Fruit Research Center Vengurla
Max.
Average Avg.
No. of Colour Avg. Apple nut
Sr. Nut Nut Shelling Perfect Kernel
Varieties Parentage nuts/ of apple juice yield
No. yield wt. % flower grade
Kg apple wt. (g) % (kg/
(Kg/tree) (g)
tree)
1. Vengurla-1 Selection 15.74 160 6.25 31 Yellow 60 65 13 240 20.33
Ansur-1
2. Vengurla-2 Selection 23.10 230 4.25 32 Red 37 45 21 320 45.52
WBDC-5
3. Vengurla-3 Vengurla 1X 16.66 115 9.09 27 Yellow 78 77 25 210 23.58
Vetore 56
4. Vengurla-4 Midanapur 19.08 140 7.69 31 Pink- 45 76 26 210 27.34
Red X red
Vetore 56
5. Vengurla-5 Ansur early 25.60 220 4.30 30 Golden 30 86 50 320 31.26
X-mysur yellow
Kote Kar
6. Vengurla-6 Vetore 56 17.00 110 7.90 28 Yellow 70 65 7.5 210 26.28
X vengrula 1
7. Vengurla-7 Vengurla 3 19.50 100 10.00 30.50 Yellow 60 85 40 180 33.50
X VRI
(M 10/4)
8. Vengurla-8 Vengurla 4 15.75 85 11.50 28.00 Reddish 100 85 38.50 180 22.47
X M-10/4
VRI-1)
Source: Thombare, S. (2005): Cashew Cultivation And Processing Industry, Krushiduth, Publication, and Pune. Pp. 44, 45
102
Table 5.8
South Konkan of Maharashtra : Variety wise Cashew
cultivated Area
Area
Sr. No. Variety
hectare percentage
1 Vengurla-1 54 10.34
2 Vengurla-2 18.5 3.54
3 Vengurla-3 11 2.11
4 Vengurla-4 163 31.23
5 Vengurla-5 18 3.45
6 Vengurla-6 55 10.54
7 Vengurla-7 34.5 6.61
8 Vengurla-8 96 18.39
9 Traditional and others 72 13.79
Total 522 100
Source: Based on field work
103
1. Propagation
Propagation means multiplication of plants either by sexual
(through seeds) or asexual (vegetative) methods. Cashew can be
multiplied using any one of these methods. Selection of planting
material is most important in cashew cultivation. Cashew is highly
cross pollinated and vegetative propagation mainly recommended on
commercial scale. Earlier cashew was usually propagated through
seeds planted in situ with three seeds per hole. Now vegetative
propagation by budding, grafting and soft-wood grafting and air-
layering is also possible. Softwood grafting is the only method which is
commercially feasible and practically highly successful in cashew
cultivation.
In the study region, cultivation of cashew was made from seeds
by traditional way but the yielding was very low (1-2 kg / tree). Since
last two decades farmers have adopted various grafting methods for
cashew plantation such as budding grafting, layering grafting, veneer
grafting, sprout grafting, etc. These methods were costly and not much
beneficial. Hence Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth,
Dapoli has introduced grafting method for cashew cultivation. This
method has also certain limitations. To avoid these limitations, Konkan
Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli has developed softwood grafting method. It
is considered the best method suitable for almost all cashew growing
states in India. After 1993-94 all the cashew plantation is made
through grafting method. In case of soft grafting, over 60 per cent
successful grafts are obtained. So this method is successfully adopted
commercially in the study region. The period from January to April is
suitable for grafting because the success rate of grafting is high within
this period in the study region.
104
2. Sources of Grafts:
In order to find out the sources of graft, 390 respondent farmers
were interviewed. Out of them 22.82 per cent farmers obtained the
grafts from government nurseries in study region (Table 5.9). Majority
of farmers (67.95 per cent) obtained grafts from private nurseries,
where as 4.87 per cent farmers obtained it from agricultural institutes.
Table 5.9
South Konkan of Maharashtra: Sources of Grafted Seedlings
Sr. Respondent
Source Percentage
No. farmers
1 Government Nurseries 89 22.82
2 Private Nurseries 265 67.95
3 Agricultural Institutes 19 4.87
4 Own 17 4.36
Total 390 100.00
Source: Based on field work
It was observed that only 4.36 per cent farmers prepare grafts in
their own nurseries. The majority farmers depend upon private
nurseries due to their positive results although they are costly (25 to 30
Rs / plant).
Table 5.10
South Konkan of Maharashtra : Methods of Cashew
Plants Spacing
Sr.
Methods Respondent farmers Percentage
No.
1 Square 263 67.43
2 Quadrangle 23 5.90
3 Hexagonal 13 3.33
4 Equal Level 54 13.85
5 Others 37 9.49
Total 390 100
Source: Based on field work
4. Weeding
Clearing the area by manually within 2 meter radius of the trunk
and slashing the remainder is essential until the trees shade out most
of the trees. Weeding can be done chemically using Glyphosate (post
emergent) about 6 to 7 ml per liter of water (0.8 kg /ha) during June
July. It effectively controls the weeds. In the study region very few
farmers practice the weeding (field observation).
5. Mulching
In the study region mulching the cashew tree basins helps to
conserve the soil moisture and to prevent soil erosion (plate 5.4).
Mulching with organic matter or residues inhibits weed growth and
reduces surface evaporation during summer and also regulates the soil
temperature.
On sloppy area, soil and water conservation practices can be done
by making trenches of 30 cm width, 60 cm depth and convenient length
may be taken in between rows along the contour. This will not only
conserve soil and moisture but also enable to enhance the growth of
cashew. This is very useful in the study region.
Table 5.11
South Konkan of Maharashtra: Mulching Practices
Respondent
Sr. No. Practices Percentage
farmers
1 Yes 262 67.18
2 No 128 32.84
Total 390 100
Source: Based on field work
107
Sr.
Methods Frequency Percentage
No.
1 Use of stick 237 60.77
2 By Climbing 9 2.31
3 Naturally failing 144 36.92
Total 390 100.00
Source: Based on field work
9. Use of Fertilizer
Fertilizers are important in crop production and in raising the
productivity of land. They supply nutrients necessary for plant growth.
The dose of fertilizers depends on the crop variety, water availability,
and management practices. In addition, organic manures and compost
derived from plant residues and agricultural wastes and by products
are also important inputs.
In study region cashew tree responded to N at125 kg, P2 O5 at 50
kg and K2 O at 100 kg per hectare. The following fertilizer schedule is
commonly followed for cashew plant (Table 5.13).
Table 5.13
Use of Fertilizer for Cashewnut Tree (9/tree)
Table 5.14
South Konkan of Maharashtra : Use of Fertilizer
Sr. Respondent
Type of Fertilizer Percentage
No. farmers
1 Chemical / Inorganic 84 21.54
2 Organic 138 35.38
3 Chemical / Inorganic + Organic 109 27.95
4 Non of them 59 15.13
Total 390 100.00
Source: Based on field work
11. Intercropping
Intercropping is now becoming more common in cashewnut
plantation. This would enable higher return the plantation during the
first 4 yeas till the canopy covers the whole area. Seasonal crops like
horsegram, cowpea, groundnut, sweet potato, ginger, black gram, can
be raised in cashew plantation as intercrop (Bal, 2006).
In the study region intercropping has received little attention.
However it depends on soil and climatic conditions and local situation.
Out of 390 respondent farmers only 31(7.95 per cent) farmers in the
study region have adopted intercropping method (Table 5.15) due to
lack of irrigation facility and lack of awareness among them.
Table 5.15
South Konkan of Maharashtra: Intercropping in Cashew
Cultivation
Sr. Respondent
Response Percentage
No. farmers
1 Yes 31 7.95
2 No 359 92.05
Total 390 100.00
Source: Based on field work
A) Pests
i) Stem and Root Borer (Placaederus ferrugineus L.)
It infects mainly young cashew plants and causes drying of the
stem and roots. In the study region the pest controlled by drenching the
basal trunk and the root region with 1.25 liters of linden 20 EC in 250
liters of water per hectare inject carbon disulphide into tunnels and
plaster them with mud.
B) Diseases
I) Pink Disease or Die Back:
It shoots dry up from the tip downwards. The disease is
prevalent during flowering period. Leaves develop into small sharply
defined green spot with yellow background. Spread of this disease is
controlled by spray of 1 per cent Bordeaux mixture.
II) Anthracnose
Colletotriehum gloeosporioides fungus causes this disease. The
fungus enters the fruit through the stigma in the flower stage. Rainy
season is favourable for the spread of this disease in the study region.
For control this disease, the experts suggested to remove the affected
parts and spray the plant with 3:3:3 Bordeaux mixture.
III) Inflorescence blight
The inflorescence blight is caused by fungi in association with tea
mosquito. The disease is characterized by the drying of floral branches
particularly when cloudy weather prevails. The mosquitos should be
kept under control. Other minor diseases in the study region like leaf
spots, anthracnose etc. are controlled by spraying with 1per cent
Bordeaux mixture.
114
Table 5.16
South Konkan of Maharashtra: Application of Pest and Diseases
Sr. Respondent
Type Percentage
No. farmers
1 Pesticides 159 40.77
2 Fungicides 22 5.64
3 Pesticides + Fungicides 138 35.38
4. Non Respondent 71 18.21
Total 390 100.00
Source: Based on field work.
It has been observed that 40.77 per cent of farmers are applying
pesticides on cashew tree (Table 5.16). Where as 5.64 per cent of
farmers are applying fungicides. The pesticides as well as fungicides
are applying 35.38 per cent of farmers; where as 18.21 per cent of
farmers are not observed the practices of pesticides or fungicides in
cashew farming.
Where in Lanja tahsil shows very high proportion yield index (112.93)
and crop concentration index (306.00).
Table 5.17
South Konkan of Maharashtra: Levels of Cashew Productivity
(By Jasbir Singhs method)
Percentage
Scale of
Category share of area
Sr. Index value
(Productivit under cashew Tahsils
No. ( Ranking
y Degree) crop to regions
Coefficient)
Total
1 High 8.97 Below 6 Lanja(1.5),Vengurla
(5)
Dapoli (11), Khed
(8.5),
Chiplun (9.5),
Ratnagiri (9.5),
Sangameshwar (8),
Vaibhavwadi (10),
2 Moderate 74.69 6-12
Devagad(9.5),
Kanakawali(6),
Malwan(7.5),
Kudal(7),
Sawantwadi(7.5),
Dodamarg(7)
3 Low 16.34 Above 12 Mandangad(13.5),
Guhagar(17),
Rajapur (15)
Note: Figures in brackets indicate the index values of respective tahsil units.
Lanja and Vengurla tahsils. Besides that, the physical and climatic
conditions are also suitable for the cashew cultivation.
Table 5.18
South Konkan of Maharashtra : Cashew Crop Productivity
By Jasbir Singh's Method (2004-05 to 2008-09)
Average Av Av Crop
% to Ranking
Area Prdn Prdty Index Rank Cons. Rank
Tahsils G.C.A. coeff.
ha 000'MT kg/ha Index
Mandangad 4699 4535 965 87.29 15 7.96 72.36 12 13.5
Dapoli 8620 8919 1035 93.60 11 9.17 83.36 11 11
Khed 11020 12910 1172 105.98 4 6.44 58.55 13 8.5
Guhagar 5860 5511 940 85.07 17 2.8 25.45 17 17
Chiplun 8957 11005 1229 111.14 3 3.86 35.09 16 9.5
Sangameshwar 8432 11202 1329 120.18 1 4.41 40.09 15 8
Ratnagiri 2777 2787 1004 90.79 14 18.18 165.27 5 9.5
Lanja 6747 8423 1248 112.93 2 33.66 306.00 1 1.5
Rajapur 5731 5446 950 85.95 16 4.97 45.18 14 15
Vaibhavwadi 2087 2155 1033 93.43 12 12.07 109.73 8 10
Kanakawali 8793 9274 1055 95.40 9 21.51 195.55 3 6
Devagad 1436 1477 1029 93.07 13 13.51 122.82 6 9.5
Malwan 4503 5006 1112 100.56 5 10.69 97.18 10 7.5
Kudal 5899 6245 1059 95.76 7 12.42 112.91 7 7
Vengurla 2209 2332 1056 95.52 8 33.59 305.36 2 5
Sawantwadi 8843 9783 1106 100.07 6 11.17 101.55 9 7.5
Dodamarg 3122 3244 1039 94.01 10 19.51 177.36 4 7
Total 99735 110255 1105 11.00
Source: District Agriculture Superitendent, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg District.
120
DP RP
IP= X 100
CAD CAR
Table 5.19
South Konkan of Maharashtra : Levels of Cashew Productivity
(Majid Husains method)
%
share
of area Scale
Category
Sr. under of
(Productivity Tahsils
No. cashew Index
Degree)
crop to value
regions
Total
1 High 56.75 Above Khed (105.12), Chiplun (107.67),
100 Sangameshwar (119.20),
Lanja(119.74),
Malwan(106.70),
Sawantwadi(106.12)
Kudal (101.61), Vengurla(101.32)
2 Moderate 24.12 90- Kankawali (94.62), Devagad (92.29),
100 Dodamarg (95.36), Dapoli (92.83),
Vaibhavwadi (90.50)
3 Low 19.13 Below Mandangad (80.51), Guhagar
90 (82.35), Rajapur (81.24), Ratnagiri
(87.96)
Note: Figures in brackets indicate the index values of respective tahsil units
zone has occupied 56.75 per cent (Tables 5.19) of total area under
cashew in the region. These tahsils show very high index value (above
100) due to the more proportion of production as compared to other
tahsils. The causes behind the high productivity of these tahsils are
favourable physical conditions and developed socio- economic status of
farmers. All high productivity tahsils have extensive cover of lateritic -
varkas, light soil.
Table: 5.20
South Konkan of Maharashtra : Cashew Productivity (Majid Husains Methods)
2004-05 to 2008-09
CAD (A) (B) (C) DP DP/CAD RP/CAR I / II IP=I/IIx100
Avarage Avarage Avarage Total yield
Sr.
Tahsils Area Prdty Price/ kg (A) x(B)x(C) I II
No.
Ha kg/ha (in Rs.) (B) Rs.in '000'
1 Mandangad 4699 965 40 181381.40 38600.00 4794199.18 0.805 80.51
2 Dapoli 8620 1035 43 383633.10 44505.00 4794199.18 0.928 92.83
3 Khed 11020 1172 43 555363.92 50396.00 4794199.18 1.051 105.12
4 Guhagar 5860 940 42 231352.80 39480.00 4794199.18 0.823 82.35
5 Chiplun 8957 1229 42 462342.43 51618.00 4794199.18 1.077 107.67
6 Sangameshwar 8432 1329 43 481863.50 57147.00 4794199.18 1.192 119.20
7 Ratnagiri 2777 1004 42 117100.54 42168.00 4794199.18 0.880 87.96
8 Lanja 6747 1248 46 387331.78 57408.00 4794199.18 1.197 119.74
9 Rajapur 5731 950 41 223222.45 38950.00 4794199.18 0.812 81.24
10 Vaibhavwadi 2087 1033 42 90546.58 43386.00 4794199.18 0.905 90.50
11 Kanakawali 8793 1055 43 398894.45 45365.00 4794199.18 0.946 94.62
12 Devagad 1436 1029 43 63538.69 44247.00 4794199.18 0.923 92.29
13 Malwan 4503 1112 46 230337.46 51152.00 4794199.18 1.067 106.70
14 Kudal 5899 1059 46 287363.89 48714.00 4794199.18 1.016 101.61
15 Vengurla 2209 1056 46 107304.38 48576.00 4794199.18 1.013 101.32
16 Sawantwadi 8843 1106 46 449896.47 50876.00 4794199.18 1.061 106.12
17 Dodamarg 3122 1039 44 142725.35 45716.00 4794199.18 0.954 95.36
Total (CAR) 99735 1105 43 4794199.18 798304.00
Average RP
Source: District Agriculture Superitendent, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg District, 2004-05 to 2008-09.
124
Plate: 5.7
126
5.8 Conclusion
It is found that there is unanimity as regard to origin and
history of cashew plant. It is one of the oldest fruits used from 500
years in India. Cashew has a wide range of its importance. Being
tropical fruit, cashew was introduced in the Malabar Coast considering
as a waste land crop grown for a forestation and soil conservation of
hilly area.
At present it is cultivated along east-west coast and in some
interior part of India. However on the commercial base it is grown at
selected locations in India where Maharashtra has shared 19.20 per
cent area under cashew in the country.
Due to constant efforts by farmers, strong research back up of
Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli and encouragement by government
of Maharashtra, Horticultural Development Programme through
Employment Guarantee Scheme (on the basis of 100 per cent subsidy)
have given impetus to increase the area under cashew significantly.
At present South Konkan shares 85.17 per cent of area under
this crop in the state.
The cashew cultivation and production need scientific knowledge,
skills and use of recent technology. But it is observed that the level of
use of fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides is very low in the study region.
The Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli
has developed 8 different varieties of cashew. The Vengurla-4 variety is
more popular among the farmers.
The analysis of levels of cashew cultivation reveals that there is
variation in the levels of cashew productivity. By M. Husains method
(productivity in term of money per unit area) which has given more
realistic results, over half of the region possess high productivity zone.
About 20 per cent of the area in the region has low productivity, which
is a potential area for bringing additional area under cashew
cultivation.
128
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Agronomico Per Loltremare,168.
2 Bal, J. S. (2006): Fruit Growing, Kalyani Publishers, Ludhiana,
p. 153.
3 Bose, T. K. Mitra, S. K. et al. (Ed) (1990): Tropical Horticulture,
vol. 1. Naya Prokash, Calcutta pp. 566-572.
4 Government of Maharashtra, District wise General Statistical
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5 Gupta, V. K., Sharma, S. K. (2000): Disease of Fruit Crops,
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7 http://dacnet.nic.in/cashewcocoa/stat.htm#stat
8 http://www.nrccashew.org
9 Husain, M.: A New Approach to the Agricultural Productivity
Regions of the Sutlej-Ganga Plains of India, Geographical Review
of India, Vol. 38, No. 3 (Sept. 1976), pp. 230-236.
10 Ibid. p.130.
11 Ibid. p.159.
12 Mandal, R. C. (2000): Cashew production and Processing
Technology, Published by AGROBIOS, India, p. 129.
13 Singh, Amar (1996): Fruit physiology and Production, Kalyani
Publishers, Ludhiana, p. 486.
14 Thombare, S. (2005): Cashew Cultivation and Processing
Industry, rushiduth, Publication, Pune. pp. 44, 4.
129