ENA Sectors 2018-12-22 09:45:19 <p><strong>New Delhi, Dec 22 (KNN)</strong> There is a dire need for Karnataka to expand cashew cultivation in the State, at a time when the cashew processing industry is heavily dependent on imported raw nuts from African countries, said Prakash Kalbavi, former President of Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers Association, and a cashew exporter from Mangaluru.</p> <p>He said this during a meet in Mangaluru.</p> <p>He said Karnataka grows around 70,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts a year and processes 2,50,000 tonnes.</p> <p>To meet the requirements of processing industry in the State, the sector is heavily dependent on imported raw nuts, he added.</p> <p>Stating that there is a need to scale up raw cashew production, Kalbavi said the State has to take appropriate initiative if it has to grow.</p> <p>Commenting on Indias cashew exports, he said the annual domestic consumption is growing at a rate of 7-8 per cent.</p> <p>He added that there is no surplus to export.</p> <p>At present, the country processes around 1.7 million tonnes of cashew a year, Kalbavi said.</p> <p>The meet was organised by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in association with Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).</p> 21617 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/karnataka-should-expand-cashew-cultivation-as-it-is-heavily-imported-from-other-countries-expert 2018-12-22 09:45:19 knnindia.co.in