With cultivation falling, govt should incentivise cashew farmers: Experts

CASHEW production has dropped significantly in Dakshina Kannada, as farmers are shifting to more profitable crops like arecanut, and experts in the cashew industry are urging the state government to get farmers to focus on cashew for a long-term perspective and incentivise them.

- DIVYA CUTINHO @ Mangaluru

Deputy Director of Horticulture Manjunath said the area of cashew cultivation has gradually decreased to just 11,800 hectares this year in the district, due to various factors. "A majority of the farmers have switched to crops like arecanut. Cashew is a one-yield crop. Farmers are not showing interest in cashew cultivation despite having good demand in the market. We have several schemes to encourage cashew cultivation," he said.

Area of cashew production, taluk-wise, includes 898 hectares with 685 tonnes in Bantwal, 2,853 hectares with 2,162 tonnes in Belthangady, 1,584 hectares with 1,200 tonnes in Kadaba, 820 hectares with 631 tonnes in Moodabidri, 405 hectares with 306 tonnes in Sullia, 19 hectares with 15 tonnes in Mangaluru, 2,166 hectares with 1,629 tonnes in Puttur.