In a proud moment for Andhra Pradesh, Uddanam cashew has earned a coveted national accolade under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme for 2025. The honour, part of a Central initiative to spotlight unique local goods, aims to fuel regional development and generate livelihoods. The official notification reached Srikakulam district authorities on Monday.
District Collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar and Horticulture Officer Ratnala Varaprasada Rao are scheduled to receive the award in New Delhi on July 14. Uddanam, located in Srikakulam, is famous for its vast cashew-growing belt, covering Palasa, Vajrapukotturu, Mandasa, Sompeta, Kaviti, Kanchili, and Itchapuram mandals. With over 1 lakh acres under cultivation, the region also hosts numerous cashew processing units.
The local cashew economy supports around 1.05 lakh families, either through direct farming or related industries. Uddanam’s cashew is particularly known for its quality nuts and dal — with nearly 3,000 kg of cashew dal dispatched daily for the sacred Laddu Prasadam at the Tirumala temple.
Thanks to backing from the horticulture department and agri-research experts, farmers have embraced hybrid seeds and advanced cultivation practices. However, growers are now demanding a fixed Minimum Support Price of ₹16,000 for every 80 kg bag of raw cashews to ensure economic viability.
A Central team assessed the area in February before approving it for the national award. Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu lauded the win as a team triumph, while farmer groups hope the recognition will energise the sector further.