Puttur: Cashew is one fruit that grows in plenty all over Karnataka and Kerala coastal areas as a cash crop on trees. Cashew plantations here have been in such prolific growth at one time that Cashew Corporation of India was opened in Mangalore and local leading lights chaired the institution for long. The cashew trees could be gown on hilly areas and near sea areas. The fruits on a tree, either red or yellow, could be seen profusely in colours against green leaves, and they bear cashewnuts.

These are sent to factories nearby for removing the covers which go in for thick oil, while the manicured nuts go for exports and local coffee tables as snacks, either savory with salt and pepper touch, or sweet with a sugar coating. Years ago, the Kernels (nuts) after being fried, used to e sold in Kgs by shops for cheap rates. Today the price has kept these nuts out of the hands of common working class people, which is a pity.

Raw cashewnuts cost Rs. 70 to 85 a Kg. Cashew trees are found in 8 districts and states along east and west coasts of India. Yet raw nuts are imported from Africa (Zambia, Kenya, Tanganika and Angola states). Cashew crops are raised even in Far Eastern states Goa chattisgarh and Gujarat states. About 9 lakh hectares are covered in India by this cash crop, whose fruit is used in Feni drink. Raw cahsewnuts in all these areas are produced to the extent of 6.60 lakhs tons. The raw nut each costs Re.0.50 today. There are cashew research stations in 13 states all over India. Puttur station is one of them. Puttur station is in its Silver Jubilee (25th) year. There are over 525 varieties of cashew being tested in Puttur laboratories and stocked in local stories. 25 Valuable varieties of cashew are with farmers, who have been advised to make food their losses in areca plantation from cashew crops. 150 lakh cashew plants get ready annually for distribution among farmers, and they do need either man use or water, says Dr. Gopalkrishna Bhat, research director for excellent yields.