Cashew is called ‘white gold’ because it gives continuous income for many years once invested. It is always in demand in the market and the price is also very good. India is one of the largest cashew producers in the world where it is cultivated on a large scale in Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Now gradually farmers in many parts of the country are turning towards cashew cultivation.

soil and climate

Hot and humid climate is considered best for cashew cultivation. It is good in areas ranging from sea level to seven hundred meters altitude. For this, sandy or loamy soil is suitable which has good drainage. Cashew cultivation is not successful in very cold places or where there is waterlogging.

Good varieties and method of planting

Selection of improved varieties is necessary to increase the yield of cashew. In India, varieties like VRI-3, VRI-4, H-130, H-1601, and Goa-1 are quite popular. Plants are planted in the beginning of monsoon i.e. June-July. For this, pits of 60x60x60 cm are dug and about 100 to 120 plants are planted in each acre. There is a distance of about 7 to 8 meters between the plants. It should be kept so that trees get enough space to grow.

how to care

Cashew cultivation requires regular irrigation for the first 2-3 years so that the plants can grow well. As the trees grow, they do not need much water, but irrigation at the time of flowering and fruit set improves production. Cleaning the field from time to time is necessary to control weeds.

Harvesting and Production

Cashew trees start bearing fruits in three to four years. The cashew fruit ripens between March and May. When the fruits are fully developed, they are collected from the ground after autumn, after which the seeds are separated from the fruit and dried in the sun.

How to cultivate cashew nuts at home

If you have some free space and want to plant cashew nuts around the house or in the farm house, then this is also possible. Just keep in mind that the place is sunny, the soil has good drainage and the plants get enough water in the initial years. With proper care, they start getting fruits in three to four years.

expenses and earnings

The initial investment in cashew cultivation is a little high like expenditure on plants, fertilizer, irrigation and labour, but once the garden is ready, it is possible to earn up to lakhs every year at a low cost. On an average, seven to ten quintals of cashews are produced in one acre. The price of cashew in the market ranges from Rs 800 to Rs 1000 per kg, that is, the income from one acre can be Rs 5 to 7 lakhs annually…

Also read – As soon as the cold comes, plants start getting spoiled due to dew and frost, these smart hacks will be useful.

Cheapest Cashews: If someone tells you that now you can buy bagfuls of cashew nuts at the price of tomatoes, then perhaps you will not believe it. But this is absolutely true. Today we are going to tell you about a small district of Jharkhand, which was once infamous for cyber crime but is now famous for cashew nuts. So let us know which village this is.

cheapest cashew nuts

Situated in the picturesque Santhal Pargana region of Jharkhand, Jamtara is full of greenery and leads a quiet rural life. The red loamy soil of the district, moderate rainfall and mild temperature are perfect for cashew cultivation. The marginal plants planted around the fields, which have now become cashew trees, have become the identity of Jamtara.

Why are cashews so cheap here?

The reason for the very low prices of cashew in Jamtara is the simple but efficient local economy. If compared with coastal states like Goa or Kerala, agricultural land here is much cheaper. Along with this, farmers and local laborers work at very low wages, due to which the cost of production also reduces.

Not only this, instead of relying on middlemen, farmers sell cashew nuts directly in the markets or through small cooperative groups. Due to this, sales are made directly in the market and middlemen are completely removed. Compared to other cashew producing areas, prices here are 25% to 30% lower.

Cashews are sold like vegetables

Here cashews are sold on roadside stalls, just like the vegetables of Delhi or Mumbai. Travelers passing through here get heaps of fresh raw cashew nuts at a price of ₹50 per kg. On the contrary, the same cashews, once processed and packed, are sold for between ₹ 600 to ₹ 900 per kg in the markets of Delhi NCR.

Challenges of Jamtara

Despite the success, the cashew industry of Jamtara is facing many difficulties. Here farmers sell raw cashews due to which they do not get much profit. Along with this, there is also a risk of cashew spoiling quickly without proper storage. Not only this, but due to limited contact, farmers sell their produce quickly at low prices.

Also read: These are the richest countries in the world, know at which position India comes