The Tamil Nadu government has constituted a cashew board, which will work for the welfare of cashew growers and workers and increase production and exports. This year, Tamil Nadu has produced 43,460 metric tonnes of cashew, after which this southern state has reached fifth place in India in cashew production and second in exports. Let us tell you that cashew is cultivated in 2.09 lakh acres in Tamil Nadu. According to sources, the Tamil Nadu Cashew Board will function with its headquarters at Cuddalore.
Self-reliance and training to enhance cashew cultivation
The cashew board will bring self-reliance by reducing dependence on imports from African countries. Farmers will be trained in high-yielding varieties, pest management, post-harvest techniques, processing assistance, export facilitation and welfare programs.
Promotion of farmers and employment
State Agriculture Minister MRK Panneerselvam said that the board has been formed with Rs 10 crore under the announcement of Chief Minister MK Stalin in the 2025-26 budget. This board will help in cultivation, value addition and employment generation. Not only this, it will be headed by the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, a representative appointed by the government as the vice-chairman, the Commissioner of Agricultural Production and the Secretary to the Government as the member-secretaries, the Director, Ilorticulture and Ilill Crops Department, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tamil Nadu Food Processing and Agricultural Export Promotion Corporation (TNAPEx), the Principal (Ilorticulture), the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University12 members, which will include agricultural universities, food processing corporations and farmers from two major cashew cultivating districts.