PANAJIDespite a growing demand for cashew nutsin the State, it’s priceshave been falling. With the ratethat was quoted at the start ofthe season falling to Rs 115 perkg from Rs 123. This trend hascaused much concern amongthe the cashew plantationowners who are struggling tocover the cost of production.
In the recently concludedBudget Session, the government had announced thatcashew nut producers woul beoffered Rs 150 per kg. However, despite a steep hike fromthe market rate, the farmershave claimed the the rate estimated by the government islow and demanded for it to behiked even further.
The season for cashew nutsbegins in February. At the startof the season the nuts weresold for Rs 123 per kg. However,by April the rate had declined toRs 115 per kg. Notably, cashewnuts used to command a priceof Rs 180 per kg just about adecade ago.
The prices beganto decline with arrival of cheapcashew nuts from abroad.The low quality cashewnuts are being imported intothe State by factory owners,affecting the price of localproduce in a major way.
Thethese cashew nuts are thenpackaged as authentic Goanproduce and sold to the tourists who visit the State.Seeking an interventionfrom the government, thefarmers claimed that for manyof them, the cashew crop isthe main source of their livelihood.
They have appealed tothe government to control theimport of cashew nuts in theState in order to increase theprice of the local produce.
