Hadia may soon have healthy competition from Feni — right here in Jharkhand. Goa’s patent beverage has come a bit closer with areas under plantation expanding. Now, East and West Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Pakur, Deoghar, Jamtara, Khunti and Simdega are all part of cashew imprint.
“We have reached 13,000 hectares and are expected to touch one lakh hectares in 10 years. Very recently, areas in Khunti and Simdega have come under cashew plantation,” said Prabhakar Singh, director of the Jharkhand State Horticulture Mission. The State has produced 260 MT of cashew during 2012-13, figuring among the top ten in the country.
“Encouraged by production and the immense potential, we are looking forward to encourage plants that can process juice from cashew apple. This is further processed and fermented to produce Feni. It has the potential to replace the rice-made Hadia that is so popular,” said Singh.
The director did not set any deadline but hopes to attract entrepreneurs to produce the drink locally.
Cashew Feni is a triple distilled spirit produced from the waste material, which comprises around 80 per cent of cashew fruit. Jharkhand grows V4, V7 and H2/16 varieties — all good quality. Byproducts like the apple and oil can also generate additional income.
“It can be one of the most remunerative crops as plantation is mostly on waste land. I am glad to see the State has set up five cashew processing plants (near Bahragora) that give good prices to growers,” Venkatesh N Hubballi, director of Directorate of Cashewnut & Cocoa Development. He was in the city on Friday during a visit to check development.
An added feature of the produce is its organic nature. “The mission is to obtain organic certification for 4,000 to 5,000 hectares under plantation. An agency will be hired for that soon,” said Singh.
As the crop is vulnerable to pests, being fully organic would not only protect it but also enhance its acceptability. Providing micro-irrigation is being looked into and a boost in output is expected when the newer plantations mature.
Morale is high. “We are looking forward to any such opportunity. I have infrastructure ready for setting up the plant. The Government should give licence to entrepreneurs as it would also fetch it revenue,” said Aditya Bikram Jaiswal, owner of Ranchi Distillery.