Cashew processors resent lack of government support

Cashew processors in the state have urged the government to make necessary arrangements to export their products to overseas buyers.

"Odisha is the third largest state in the country in cashew cultivation, production and processing but we are unable to export to other countries. The processors from Kerala and Karnataka export the products of our state and earn profits", said Rajendra Sabat, president Odisha Cashew Processors Association (OCPA) here.

Lack of government support has been a dampener for the cashew processors, who are operating on thin margins for being unable to export their products.

"If we can export at least 50 per cent of our production, we can earn around Rs 500 crore every year", he added.

"The government needs to provide all support to enter into the export market like overseas buyer contacts, port and container facilities and financial support to the entrepreneurs to compete with exporters of other states", said Sabat.

The OCPA officials spoke on their constraints at a workshop on 'Awareness Programme on Quality Technology Tool (QTT) and Quality Management Standard (QMS) of Ganjam Cashew Cluster in Food Processing' here. The workshop was organised by Odisha Young Entrepreneurs' Association (OYEA). Jogendra Behera, state minister for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) inaugurated the workshop.

"The government will look into the matter and try its best to develop the cashew sector in the state", the minister assured. He also asked the processors to ensure production quality to compete with their counterparts in other states.

MLA (Berhampur) Ramesh Chandra Chyaupatnaik urged the minister to provide financial support to the cashew processing units, particularly in Ganjam district, which suffered major damage from the tropical cyclonic storm Phailin in October last year.

Odisha produces around 100,000 tonne of cashew with an area of 160,000 hectares under cultivation. Around 300 cashew processing units with over 140,000 tonne processing capacity per annum, are functioning in the state.

"Due to lack of supporting policy, we procure raw cashews from other neighboring states like West Bengal and also from West African countries to run our units", said the OCPA president. Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Koraput and Nabarangpur are the major cashew producing districts in the state.