Cashew Production and Processing Technology: Recent Advances

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L. f. Anacardiaceae) is a highly valuable and economically significant plantation crop. This book provides a comprehensive overview of various aspects related to cashew cultivation. It covers topics such as the history, origin, and geographical distribution of cashews, as well as information on the area, production, productivity, export, and import of the crop. Additionally, the book discusses soil and climate requirements, biodiversity, and crop improvement, as well as various techniques for propagation and production of planting material. It also covers morphology and tree characteristics, pollination techniques, establishment of cashew orchards, mineral nutrition, training and pruning, rejuvenation of old orchards, intercropping and cover cropping, intercultural operations, maturity, harvesting, and yield. The post-harvest storage, marketing of raw nuts, nutritive value of cashews, cashew nut processing, and cashew apple processing are also discussed. The book also addresses pests and diseases, economics for cashew cultivation, and future strategies for the crop. It will be a useful resource for students and teachers of horticulture, agriculture, and forestry, as well as scientists, researchers, cashew growers, and processors, including small-scale processing unit holders.

Rakesh Chokhoba Gajbhiye was born on 22nd March, 1973 at Wardha- 442 001 (Maharashtra). He completed his B.Sc. Agri. degree from College of Agriculture, Nagpur in 1997. He sought admission PG degree M.Sc. in Horticulture through ICAR JRF, New Delhi and completed PG degree in 1999. He also got Gold Medal in Horticulture for PG degree. He joined as Jr. Cashew Breeder at RFRS, Vengurla, Dr. BSKKV., Dapoli in 2003. He completed Ph.D. Horticulture degree in PSMA from ACHF, NAU, Navsari (Gujarat) in 2014. He has vast experience of about more than ten years in cashew. He published many research papers, short communication on cashew and Oil palm in various journals and also presented in various symposiums, National and State level seminars. He also published more than 40 popular articles on cashew for cashew growers with four recommendations on cashew. He also worked as Nursery In-charge at RFRS, Vengurla, Dist. Sindhudurg, Maharashtra and supplied large quantity of high quality genuine planting material of cashew, mango and other fruit crops to fruit growers of Konkan regions, Maharashtra and across the country that help the enhancement of area and production of cashew specially in Konkan region. He organised various programme especially on cashew since 2003 at RFRS, Vengurla and on cashew orchard with support of BSKKV, Dapoli and financial support of DCCD, Cochin for enhancement of area, production and productivity of cashew in Kokan and adjoining region of Maharashtra.

B. V. Padhiar was born into a small farming family in 1952 and completed his schooling at village level. Then he graduated with B.Sc. (Agri.) in 1973 and did his M.Sc. and Ph. D. in Horticulture from Gujarat Agricultural University. In Gujarat Agri. University, he joined in 1974 and has vast experience of 40 in the field years of education, research and extension. At present, he is Professor of Horticulture, Dept. of Fruit Science and Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops and Research Scientist (Hort.) at Regional Hort. Res. Station, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University (erstwhile Gujarat Agril. Uni.), Navsari. Award of Best Teacher in the field of Horticulture during 2011 at Navsari Agricultural University is in his credit. He was instrumental in the projects of Indian Cotton Mills Federation at Bharuch and All India Coordinated Res. Project on Mango (ICAR) at Paria Dist. Valsad. He has published more than 24 research papers in journals of national and international repute. As a researcher, he was instrumental in release cotton var., Deshi Hyb. Cotton -1, mango hybrid var. Sonpari, vegetable var. GNPG-1 of pointed gourd. Several popular articles have been published for farming community. He has also written more than 9 chapters in different books including Gujarati Vishwakash. More than 10 TV programmes, management of Krishi Mela and Horticulture Fair, Seminars on different aspects on hi-tech Horticulture, Global Conference, etc. on his credit. He acted as Secretary of Horticultural Society of Gujarat and presently acting as Vice-President of the society. He has guided 14 post graduate students and 4 Ph.D.students in the field of Fruit Science. He has published two practical manuals for UG students. As a Cultural Advisor and Chairman of the Students' Representative Council, he inspired the students for co-curricular activities at Inter -University and national level.