Kasargod: The price of cashew kernels has touched a record high this year, but the cashew growers in Karsargod are not beaming a smile.
The reason is that despite the prices shooting north, the productivity has depleted and the growers are not in the position to make hay when the sun shines.
As per market reports, one kilo of cashew in Kasargod costs between Rs 102 to Rs 105 as against the last year’s market rate of mere Rs 40 to Rs 50 per kg.
As per growers, the cashew crops used to be ready by February and this used to be enough for them to meet the demands till May.
But, this year, even in March there are no crops for them to bank on.
In several areas, the cashews are still budding and in several pockets the buds have started withering away, leaving the growers in state of despair..
The acute fluctuation in weather condition is said to be the reason behind the same.
Till about few years ago, entire Kasargod region used to have sprawling areas of cashew plantations. With fluctuation in cashew price, he growers started replacing cashew plantations with rubber plantations.This is also a reason for acute shortage in cashew crop.
Kasargod district had always had the fame of being the largest producer of cashewnuts and it is now shocking to see that this district has dearth of cashew crops.
As per a survey report, during 2013-14 a total of 7811 hectare land was being used to cultivate cashew, but this year the area has shrunk to 6193 hectare.
With rubber rate seeing a fall in the market, the cashew growers are repenting over their decision of replacing cashews with rubber.
All in all they have been left in lurch, with neither rubber doing good to them nor the cashews.
