On June 20, 2026,the Directorate of Cashew Research (DCR) hosted specialized training for around 100 farmers,and focus was cashew cultivation plus what happens after harvest.
Farmers came from Kokkada,Uppinangady,Kadaba,and Sullia taluks of Dakshina Kannada . And program was titled ‘Cashew production and post-harvest technologies’,launched around same time as release of 23rd installment of PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi .
And see,cashew farming is not small thing ah . Many farmers grow crop,but income often depends on how much they know about planting,aftercare,pest control and value addition . That is where this kind of training can actually matter .
During sessions,experts like Eradasappa E. ,Veena G.L. ,and Aswathy Chandrakumar guided farmers on cashew planting techniques,aftercare,value addition of cashew apples,and agribusiness opportunities within cashew sector . Basically,not just growing cashew,but thinking how to earn better from whole crop.
Few things stood out from program:
- Farmers visited Cashew Museum and Drone Technology Laboratory for hands-on exposure to newer farming practices.
- Participants tasted cookies and fruit bars made from cashew apples,showing value addition possibilities.
- Farmers discussed pest management for tea mosquito bug and cashew stem and root borer in interactive session.
And honestly,the cashew apple part is very interesting . In many places,cashew nut gets attention but cashew apple is ignored or wasted only . If farmers can turn that into products like cookies,fruit bars or other items,it can become extra income source .
DCR also stressed same point,that using cashew apples properly can increase farm incomes because many farmers still do not know full potential . That gap between what crop gives and what farmer actually earns is real issue .
Program was organized with Department of Agriculture and supported by Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana - Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR) from Government of Karnataka . So yes,there is institutional backing also,not just one classroom session.
But tbh,real test starts after farmers go back to fields . Training sounds good,drone lab sounds good,value addition sounds even better…but whether small farmers can actually convert all this into steady profit is bigger question…
