Under the initiative and guidance of Birsa Agriculture University (BAU) Vice-Chancellor (VC), Dr Onkar Nath Singh, a research program has been started to promote the production of new varieties of cashew in the State.
The VC has nominated In-charge of KVK, Dr Aarti Vina Ekka as the Principal investigator of cashew research in the center to promote cashew production and research work in East Singhbhum district. Cashew cultivation and research is being promoted in about two and a half acres of land near this center.
Singh said that in view of the huge potential of cashew farming in Jharkhand, the Darisai Center has been linked to the National Cashew Research Directorate, Puttur, Karnataka under the ICAR-All India Coordinated Cashew Research Project. “Various research programs on cashew have been started in KVK, Darisai in East Singhbhum in collaboration with BAU Directorate of Research. Programs of low cost advanced technical development of cashew are being run in the center through quality advanced varieties and advanced technology,” he added.
The VC said that under this research programme, research on Germplasm collection, preservation, evaluation, identification and cataloging of germplasm of cashew, multiplication test, inter-crop cultivation of cashew, evaluation of new variety Jhargram-2 and inter-crop cum fertilizer test work will be initiated.
Ekka said that the National Research Center on Cashew has recommended the improved varieties of cashew for different States of the Country. “Varieties are not recommended for Jharkhand, but varieties suitable for Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka can be used for cashew cultivation in Jharkhand,” she added.
“The major cashew varieties suitable for East Singhbhum are V-4, BPP-1, BPP-2, BPP-4, BPP-8, Jagarnath and Balabhadra. The average weight of cashew nuts of BPP-8 variety has been found to be the highest at 7.94 grams in the experiment done on these varieties at the Darisai center while the average nut weight of other varieties has been found to be Balabhadra- 7.70 gm, Jagarannath- 7.50 gm and Bhi-4- 7.02 gm respectively. The diameter, length and width of cashew nuts of BPP-8 variety have been found to be more as compared to other varieties,” said Ekka.
The KVK In Charge said that for cashew cultivation, hot and humid climate, 700 meters altitude area, where the temperature remains above 200 centigrade, is suitable for good yield. “In Ghatshila sub-division of East Singhbhum district, cashew is cultivated in a large area in many areas of Ghatshila, Chakulia, Bahragoda, Dhalbhumgarh blocks. Abundant cashew plants are on the forest land, whose ownership is given to the forest department by forming a committee,” she added.
Ekka said in the absence of proper information and proper management, the farmers are unable to get the right production and profit. “Cashew protect app can also be used for proper management of cashew cultivation. With proper management, the yield of cashew nuts can be up to 19 to 30 kg per plant. Cashew is being cultivated in more than 6, 000 hectares of land in East Singhbhum district,” she added.
“Due to non-availability of cashew processing unit in the district, farmers are not able to get a reasonable price for cashew. Outside businessmen buy cashew nuts for Rs 60 to Rs 100 per kg, while cashew nuts are processed and sold at a price of Rs 800-Rs 1000 per kg,” said Ekka.
