Indian cashews are renowned globally for their unique quality. India is not only a leading producer of cashews but also the world’s largest processor and exporter of cashew kernels. Cashew cultivation in India is primarily concentrated in the peninsular regions. It is grown along the western coast in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra, and along the eastern coast in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. Cashew is also produced to a limited extent in Chhattisgarh, the northeastern states (Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Nagaland), and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Cashews generate valuable foreign exchange, earning around Rs. 4,000 crores annually, and provide sustainable employment opportunities to approximately 1.5 million people in the processing and agricultural sectors, particularly women, thus significantly contributing to the rural economy.
Cashew is primarily a tropical crop that thrives best in warm, humid, and distinct tropical climates. Cashew cultivation is typically confined to areas below 700 meters in altitude, though it can also be grown at altitudes up to 1,200 meters. Cashews are cultivated in regions with annual rainfall ranging from 600 to 4,500 mm. Low rainfall during flowering and fruit setting periods results in good fruit setting, and nuts mature in dry weather. Cashew is a hardy crop that grows well in well-drained red, sandy, and laterite soils. Cashew trees prefer sunlight and cannot tolerate heavy shade. While cashew trees can withstand temperatures above 36˚C, the optimal temperature for growth is between 24˚C and 28˚C.
The ideal time for planting cashew saplings is during the monsoon season (June-August) when humidity is high. If irrigation facilities are available, planting can be done year-round, except during the winter months.
Spacing for Cashew Planting: The typical spacing for cashew cultivation is 7.5 x 7.5 meters to 8 x 8 meters, depending on soil type and management capacity. This spacing can be reduced to 4 x 4 meters for high-density planting, which can accommodate up to 625 plants per hectare for better utilization during the initial years. Early planting can be done at spacings of 4 x 4 meters, 5 x 5 meters, or 6 x 4 meters, maintained for 7 to 9 years with proper pruning and training. Later, excess plants can be thinned to achieve spacings of 8 x 8 meters, 10 x 10 meters, or 6 x 8 meters.
How to Cashews Cultivation: Cashew grafts are typically planted in 60 cm pits. It is advisable to dig the pits at least 15-20 days before planting and leave them in the sun to deter termites and ants that can damage the graft roots. The pits should be filled up to ¾ with a mixture of topsoil and organic manure. Grafts should be carefully planted by removing the polythene bags, ensuring the graft union remains at least 5 cm above the ground. The polythene tape around the graft union should be gently removed. Immediately after planting, support the graft with stakes to protect it from wind. Mulch the plant basins with organic waste materials during the initial years to retain moisture and improve soil fertility.
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Advanced Varieties of Cashew: The advanced varieties of cashew include Madakkathara-1, Kanaka (H-1598), Dhana (H-1608), Amrutha (H-1597), Priyanka (H-1591), and Madakkathara-2 (NDR-2-1).
Use of Fertilizers and Manures for Cashew Cultivation: Manures and fertilizers promote plant growth. In cashew crops, the application of 10-15 kg of farmyard manure or compost per plant is beneficial. The current fertilizer recommendations for cashew are 500 grams of nitrogen (1.1 kg urea), 125 grams of P2O5 (625 grams rock phosphate), and 125 grams of K2O (208 grams of muriate of potash) per plant per year. The ideal time for fertilizer application is immediately after heavy rains when soil moisture is available. During the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years of planting, 1/3, 2/3, and the full amount of fertilizers should be applied, respectively, and the full amount should be applied after the 3rd year.
Weeding and Mulching in Cashew Cultivation: Manual weeding is essential in an area of 2 meters around the trees until they come out of the shade, and the remaining part should be slashed. Chemical weeding can also be done. The application of glyphosate (post-emergent) at 6 to 7 ml per liter of water (0.8 kg active ingredient/hectare) effectively controls weeds during June-July. Mulching in cashew crops helps in conserving soil moisture and preventing soil erosion. Organic material or residues used for mulching can prevent weed growth, reduce surface evaporation during summer, and regulate soil temperature, thereby promoting the growth of cashew plants.
Irrigation and Intercropping in Cashew Cultivation: India, cashew is primarily grown under rainfed conditions. However, protective irrigation at intervals of 15 days during the summer months (January-March) at the rate of 200 liters per plant improves fruit set and retention, increasing nut yield. Intercropping in cashew is given less importance. However, based on soil and climatic conditions and local circumstances, annual vegetables like tapioca, pulses, turmeric, ginger, etc., can be grown as intercrops.
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Plant Protection:
Tea Mosquito Bug: This pest can cause a 30-40% reduction in yield by damaging tender shoots, inflorescences, and immature nuts at various stages of growth. It attacks the tree during all seasons of flushing, flowering, and fruit setting. Treatment: Quinalphos (25% EC) - 0.05%, Carbonyl (50% WP) - 0.01%, limiting the number of sprays to three and using the same insecticide for subsequent sprays.
Stem and Root Borer: This pest is dangerous and can kill the entire plant, mostly seen in neglected orchards. Treatment: Applying a paste of 50 grams (50%) Carbonyl and 25 grams of copper oxychloride mixed in one liter of water to the affected parts provides effective control.
Harvesting and Yield: During the first 1-2 years, the inflorescences emerging from the grafted cashew plant should be removed to promote good vegetative growth and a better structure. Cashew plants start fruiting three years after planting. The mature fruits will fall to the ground, and the nuts should be collected from the fallen fruits. The nuts can be sun-dried on a cement floor for 2-3 days and stored in sealed bags. The yield starts at 1 kg in the third or fourth year and increases as the canopy develops, with 8 to 10-year-old plants potentially yielding over 10 kg of nuts depending on management practices.
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