Cashew growers seek minimum support price

BHUBANEWSAR: Farmers have demanded that the minimum support price (MSP) of cashew be fixed at Rs 100 a kg. While the fruit is sold at Rs 32 a kg, the processed cashewnuts fetches Rs 450 a kg, they alleged.
Though the state government fixes the prices of paddy and jute every year, there is no MSP for cashew. The traders instead walk away with the lion's share, rued the farmers.
"There are more than 10 lakh cashew farmers in the state and the crop is grown in 15 districts, including Nayagarh, Khurda, Koraput, Ganjam and Dhenkanal. But neither there is any MSP for cashew nor a mandi, where the farmers can sell their produce," said former MLA and adviser,Odisha state cashew farmers' protection organization, Bikram Keshari Burma.
In the absence of direct control of the government over the crop, traders engaged in processing, packing and distribution of cashew make huge profits. There are around 500 privately owned processing units in the state, sources said.
"The government has a big role to play in promoting cashew cultivation in the state. Besides encouraging the farmers, the government should also establish mandis and processing units. Traders and middlemen should not be allowed to exploit the farmers," Burma added.
"We also need better irrigation facilities, training, technical assistance and bank loans at low interest rates. We should be provided insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers at subsidized rates," said Eeshwar Pradhan, a famer.

Source: India Times