Mangaluru: A two-day state-level Cashew Fair will be held at Kadri Park in Mangaluru on May 17 and 18 under the aegis of the Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation. The event aims to promote cashew cultivation, provide market opportunities for farmers and create awareness about technological advancements in the sector.
The announcement was made by Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation Chairperson Mamatha D.S. Gatti during a press conference held at her office. The fair is expected to bring together farmers, agricultural experts, researchers, public representatives and members of the public for discussions and activities related to the cashew industry.
The event will also feature technical workshops, awareness sessions, farmer interactions and competitions aimed at encouraging wider participation.
Senior leaders to attend inauguration programme
The Cashew Fair will be formally inaugurated on Sunday, May 17, at 11 am by Speaker U.T. Khader Fareed.
Health and Family Welfare and Dakshina Kannada District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao will attend the event as chief guest, while Karnataka Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre will formally inaugurate the fair.
Mangaluru South MLA D. Vedavyas Kamath will preside over the programme.
Several dignitaries are also expected to participate in the event, including MP Captain Brijesh Chowta, Rajya Sabha member D. Veerendra Heggade and members of the Cashew Fair Corporation Board.
According to Mamatha D.S. Gatti, the fair has been organised with the objective of creating awareness among farmers about modern cultivation techniques and strengthening market opportunities within the cashew sector.
Technical workshops to focus on cultivation and value addition
Technical sessions and workshops on cashew cultivation will be conducted on both days of the event.
Principal Scientist Dr G. Dinakar Ullal and Senior Scientist Dr Veena G.L. from the Directorate of Cashew Research (DCR), Puttur, will provide information on modern cultivation technologies, processing techniques and value addition opportunities in the cashew industry.
The sessions are expected to help farmers understand emerging practices and technological developments that can improve productivity and profitability.
Progressive farmer Subhash Rai will also share his experiences in cashew farming and discuss practical insights from his agricultural journey.
Organisers believe such interactions will provide farmers with useful information regarding cultivation methods and field-level challenges.
Sessions on schemes and farmer recognition planned
On the second day of the fair, additional sessions focusing on policy and support programmes for farmers will be conducted.
Former KCMD Chairman Prakash Kalbavi will deliver a presentation based on the theme of the state-level Cashew Fair.
Former Director of the Directorate of Cashew and Cocoa, Hubballi, Dr Venkatesh N. Hubballi, and Dr C. Sunil, Coordinator at the University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, will brief farmers about various government schemes and nursery accreditation procedures.
Organisers said the event will also recognise progressive farmers who have made notable contributions and achievements in cashew cultivation.
The felicitation programme aims to encourage innovation and best practices among farming communities.
More than 70 stalls and competitions for visitors
The fair will be open to the public and farmers with free entry, making it accessible to a wider audience.
Mamatha D.S. Gatti stated that more than 70 stalls will be set up during the event to provide direct market access to farmers and showcase agricultural products.
In addition to farming-related activities, organisers have planned speech and painting competitions for students and rangoli competitions for women.
Visitors attending the fair will also receive free cashew fruit juice during the programme.
The organisers expect the event to serve as a platform connecting farmers, researchers and consumers while promoting the growth of the cashew industry in Karnataka.