Lok Sabha Question No. 2525 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Harnessing the by-products of Raw Cashew
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2525

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## HARNESSING THE BY- PRODUCTS OF RAW CASHEW

2525.  DR. M K VISHNU PRASAD:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has any proposals to harness the by-product of raw cashew, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the details of Cashew by-products and their usages;
- (c)  the details of revenue generated by Cashew by-products;
- (d)  whether any new variety of Cashews has been introduced to increase cashew yield, if so the details thereof;
- (e)  the details of export and import of cashews during the last three years; and
- (f) whether any study has been conducted on cashew farming in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

(a) to (c):  Cashewnut shell liquid (CNSL), testa and shell are obtained as by-products, while processing of raw cashewnuts. Cashew Research Centre, Madakkathara, Kerala Agriculture University and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)- Directorate of Cashew Research (DCR), Puttur, Karnataka are engaged in carrying out various research &  development  programmes  including  harnessing  by-products  of  raw  cashewnuts.

Cashew  Research  Centre,  Madakkathara  has  developed  technology  for  commercial utilization of cashew apple for preparation of various products like cashew apple syrup, mixed fruit jam, pickle, Ready-to-Serve (RTS) beverages, carbonated drinks, candy and energy bar. The details of various by-products of raw cashewnut are given at AnnexureI .  A  total  of  Rs  77.21  crores  revenue  was  generated  through  export  of  cashewnut byproducts during 2023-24. (d): ICAR  -  DCR,  Puttur  has  developed  four  new  improved  varieties/  hybrids  of cashewnut  having  better  yield  potential.  The  varieties  are  Nethra  Jumbo-1,  Nethra Ubhaya, Nethra Ganga and Nethra Jumbo-2. (e): The details of export of cashewnut and import of raw cashewnut from 2021-22 to 2023-24 are given at Annexure-II . (f): Tamil  Nadu  Agricultural  University  has  conducted  studies  on  cashew  farming  in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu on various aspects such as Effect of Ultra High density/ High density planting of cashewnut, training and pruning, drip irrigation, integrated nutrient management, on the yield, Intercropping of cashewnut with other crops i.e. vegetables, pulses,  oil  seeds  and  medicinal  plants  to  get  additional  income  to  farmers  and Management of Pest and Diseases i.e Tea mosquito bug, Stem and Root Borer.

## Details of cashewnut by- products

| Raw cashew by-product          | Uses                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) | Industrial fluid used in the manufacturing of drugs, paper ink, paints, varnish, resin and also in the treatment of certain dermatological disorders. |
| Outer shell                    | As fuel either directly burnt as a biomass or is used as feedstock for gasification or is converted into briquettes.                                  |
| Testa/ peel                    | Natural antioxidant, tannin extracted is a useful resource in leather manufacturing industry.                                                         |
| Cashew apple                   | Medicinal: treatment of scurvy, diarrhoea, pharyngitis and chronic dysentery. Food: Jam, Syrup, Chutney, Beverage and Juice                           |

## Annexure-I

- ******

## Annexure-II

## Details of export of cashewnut and its products and import of raw cashewnut

Quantity in '000 MT, Value: INR Cr

| Year    | Export   | Export   | Import   | Import   |
|---------|----------|----------|----------|----------|
|         | Quantity | Value    | Quantity | Value    |
| 2021-22 | 82.92    | 3586.62  | 939.20   | 9338.37  |
| 2022-23 | 78.82    | 3132.89  | 1332.19  | 14369.51 |
| 2023-24 | 81.58    | 3074.99  | 1255.10  | 11828.15 |

Source: (Trade Division, DA&FW)