The Hindu Business Line : Bengal plans cashew export zone

THE West Bengal Government plans to set up an agri export zone (AEZ) for cashew. The zone will be located in the cashew growing districts of Midnapore (East), Midnapore (West), Bankura, Birbhum and Purulia.

A feasibility study for the same was conducted by the Hyderabad-based Cygnus Business Consulting and Research.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr O.R.S. Rao, Head of Cygnus, said that despite having a long coastline and an overall conducive environment, West Bengal is not one of the major producers of cashew in the country.

Having suggested an investment of Rs 11.5 crore towards modernisation of farming practices, use of improved variety of seeds and adherence to international packaging standards, Cygnus believes that the State has the potential to grow 1,300 tonnes of cashew nuts annually, generating a forex earning of $5 million from the AEZ.

According to Mr Rao, the country currently exports processed cashew worth $361 million. Though considered among the large exporters in the $1.7-billion global processed cashew trade, the domestic cashew sector is suffering from low yield.

Despite having a higher acreage, India currently ranks second with 24 per cent share of global cashew production of 20.82 lakh tonnes. Riding on the high yield factor, Vietnam now produces 30 per cent of global cashew. Production in Vietnam is currently witnessing 46 per cent compounded annual growth (CAGR) as against the world average of 5.82 per cent.

The other major cashew producing nations are Brazil (11 per cent) and Nigeria (9 per cent).

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