The farmers in Kolar and Chickballapur, which are reeling under drought for last few years and had dry weather, can grow cashew as an alternative crop and reap a good harvest.
Experts and officials participated in a seminar on cashew cultivation at College for Horticultural Sciences here recently said Mysuru, Tumakuru and Ramanagar districts also can opt for cashew beside Kolar and Chickballapur.
Cashew and Coco Development Corporatipn, Kochi, All India Cashew Research Project, Hogalagere and Krishi Vijnana Kendra, Kolar have jointly organised the seminar.
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Farmers in the barn of mango are not showing interest off late due to withering of mango trees and fall in the yield of ‘green gold’ owing to shortage of water in the region. They, too, are felling mango trees to use as firewood and other purposes as cultivating mango is becoming non-profitable farming activity. In this background, whether the opinion of experts in connection with cashew cultivation will create interest among the farmers in the dry-land region is to be seen.
The Corporation director, Venkatesh N. Hubbballi said both Kolar and Chickballapur districts enjoy the climate conducive for cultivating cashew. Cashew could be cultivated with less investment, he said.
D.P. Kumar, Education Director of University of Agriculture Sciences, Bengaluru, said the farmers will get economic strength on cashew cultivation. “Farmers can get good rate for quality cashew nuts in international market”, he said.
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S.V. Hittalamani, Retired Additional Director of Department of Horticulture, said mango farmers in Kolar, Chickballapur and Ramanagar districts are in distress due to drought. Cultivation of cashew should be taken up as alternative to mango, he counselled. A number of varieties of cashew plants are available with the Department, he said.
A booklet on cashew cultivation for the convenience of prospective farmers was released on the occasion. Horticulture College Dean, N. Nachegowda spoke.