Cashew processors in Odisha demand govt support

Seek overseas buyer arrangements, port & container facilities and financial backing to compete with exporters from other states

Regretting lack of support from the government, cashew processors in Odisha have sought quick steps for export of their products.

"The Government should provide entrepreneurs with all support to enter the export market like overseas buyer arrangements, port and container facilities and financial support to compete with exporters from other states," President of Odisha Cashew Processors Association (OCPA), Rajendra Sabat said here.

"Odisha is the third largest state in the country in cashew cultivation, production and processing, but we are unable to export a single kilogram to other countries," he said.

"Ironically, cashew processors from states like Kerala and Karnataka are exporting the products of our state and getting huge profits.

"If we export at least 50 per cent of the present products, we'll be able to earn around Rs 500 crore every year," added Sabat.

"Due to lack of supporting policy of the government, we procure raw cashew from other neighbouring states like West Bengal and also from West African countries to run the units," said president OCPA.

The demand for government support by OCPA officials was emphasised at a workshop on 'Awareness programme on Quality Technology Tool (QTT) and Quality Management Standard (QMS) of Ganjam cashew cluster in food processing' here.

Organised by the Odisha Young Entrepreneurs Association (OYEA), the workshop was inaugurated by the state's Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Minister Jogendra Behera.

"The government will look into the matter and try its best to develop the cashew sector in the state," Behera said at the occasion.

Local MLA R Ch Chyaupatnaik urged the minister to provide financial support to the cashew processing units, particularly those in Ganjam district which were damaged in the cyclone Phailin in October last year.