Cashew Day
A Flagship Annual Event of ICAR–DCR, Puttur
Cashew Day is designed to bring farmers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and stakeholders together on a shared platform for meaningful knowledge exchange. As a unique interface between research and practice, the event plays a vital role in strengthening the institute’s mandate of technology transfer, farmer empowerment, and innovation-driven development in the cashew sector.
A core objective of Cashew Day is to facilitate direct farmer–scientist interaction. The event provides farmers the opportunity to discuss field-level challenges, seek expert guidance, and gain knowledge on best practices in cashew cultivation and management. This two-way communication enables researchers to receive valuable ground-level feedback, ensuring that the technologies and recommendations generated by the institute remain farmer-centric and demand-driven.
One of the major highlights of the event is the showcase of technologies developed at the institute. Participants are given information on improved varieties, production and protection technologies, value-addition and processing innovations, digital extension tools, and resource management practices through exhibitions, live demonstrations, and guided field visits. These displays accelerate technology dissemination and adoption across cashew-growing regions.
Cashew Day also celebrates excellence and innovation among the farming and entrepreneurial community. As part of the event, the institute confers the Innovative Farmer Award and the Innovative Entrepreneur Award to individuals who have adopted, demonstrated, or commercialised cashew technologies in exemplary ways. These awards serve to acknowledge their contributions, inspire peers, and encourage wider uptake of improved practices and enterprise models in the cashew sector.
The event further fosters strong stakeholder engagement, drawing participation from state agriculture departments, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, industry partners, processors, nurseries, NGOs, and input suppliers. Thematic sessions, technical meetings, and interactive discussions allow participants to gain deeper insights into emerging trends, research advancements, and collaborative opportunities along the cashew value chain.
Over the years, Cashew Day has evolved into a vibrant celebration of learning, innovation, and partnership. It reinforces ICAR–DCR’s leadership in cashew research and extension while contributing significantly to the institute’s broader mission of enhancing productivity, profitability, and sustainability for cashew farmers—particularly smallholders and tribal communities. Cashew Day continues to serve as a model platform where science connects with society, driving progress across the cashew sector.
