ICAR - Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur organised a three-day National Workshop on Scientific Innovations for Sustainable Cashew Production and Value Chain Development from 20-22 May, 2026
A three-day National Workshop on Scientific Innovations for Sustainable Cashew Production and Value Chain Development was organised at ICAR-Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur, Karnataka, from 20-22 May, 2026. The workshop sponsored by DCCD, Kochi, aimed at capacity development of the State-level horticulture and agriculture officials, scientists of AICRP centres on Cashew and ICAR institutes and officers of Plantation Corporations.
Smt. Kamala K. IFS, Conservator of Forests and Managing Director, Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation Limited (KCDC), Mangalore, was the Chief Guest and Shri Dadasaheb Desai, Deputy Director, DCCD, Kochi served as the Guest of Honour for the inaugural function of the event. The dignitaries urged the participants to make best use of the knowledge gained through the workshop. Further, Smt. Kamala K expressed that cashew is a very important crop when it comes to climate resilience and livelihood improvement of farmers. She emphasized that majority of the area under cashew comes under plantation corporations and is low-yielding with 3-4kg/tree. The latest technologies developed by the Directorate must be employed for improving the productivity of cashew, and proper management is the key to realising this goal. Shri Dadasaheb Desai, Deputy Director, DCCD, Kochi, briefed the audience about the widening demand supply gap of raw cashewnuts in India and the need to strengthen the raw cashew nut production in the country through coordinated efforts of research institutes, State horticulture departments, and plantation Corporations. Dr. J Dinakara Adiga, Director, ICAR-Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur presided the function and in his inaugural address, expressed how value-added products prepared from cashew apple can be the game changer for income enhancement of farmers. reiterated the institute’s commitment towards sustainable cashew research and technology transfer. He highlighted the significance of bringing together researchers, policymakers and stakeholders on a common platform to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the cashew industry.
The workshop featured technical sessions on a wide range of topics including high-yielding cashew varieties, commercial nursery management, mechanisation and drone applications, climate and nutrient management, ICT initiatives, planting systems including high-density planting, management of major and minor pests and diseases, pollinator importance, value addition of cashew apple and nut, cashew processing, cashew-based cropping systems and technology commercialisation. Participants were also exposed to practical field experiences through visits to the cashew farm of progressive farmer Mr. Subash Rai, Navaneet Nursery in Puttur and Kalbavi Cashew Industry in Mangalore.
The valedictory session was organised on 22 May, 2026 in which Dr. K B Hebbar, Director, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod attended the function as chief guest and Smt. Kshama Patil, Deputy Director, Horticulture, Karnataka was the Guest of Honour. Dr. K. B. Hebbar congratulated the Directorate for organising the workshop at a significant juncture, coinciding with the Government’s announcement of budgetary support for the cashew sector. Smt. Kshama Patil, drawing from her experience with Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), appreciated the diverse range of value-added products developed from cashew apple and urged department officials to involve FPOs and self-help groups in promoting cashew apple value addition initiatives.
A total of 48 delegates representing 9 states (Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat) attended the workshop.