Kerala - Kollam   

Corporation to launch more cashew products

Staff Reporter

Part of the move to redesign KSCDC

KOLLAM: The Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) has finalised a project for manufacturing four export-oriented value-added products. KSCDC managing director K.A.Ratheesh said that all the four products are innovative, value added products designed by the Central Food Technology Research Institute(CFTRI) Mysore through a KSCDC sponsored research.

The unit for this project is being set up at the Kottiyam factory of the KSCDC at a cost of Rs.17 lakh. The machinery required for the purpose is being custom made as per the stipulations of the CFTRI. It will take two months for the installation of the machinery and provide the ad hoc training to the workers. Mr.Rateesh said that soon after Onam, the products will be launched.

He said that the four value-added products to be launched are new in the market, hence they are innovative value-added products. The first product is a pepper flavoured cashew soup in powder form. It will be a ready to drink mix when added to boiled water. The second product is pure cashew powder, which can be added to all food items during preparation. The third is an instant drink mix. The fourth is a cashew mixture. All the four products have been labelled “cholestrol free.”

Mr.Ratheesh said that the products will be of global standards since the KSCDC intends to sell these products in the global market. The KSCDC is on the job of finding out the right agent to market these products in the international market. The products will be attractively packed. The Central Government has agreed to provide the funds required for marketing the products in the global market.

Mr. Ratheesh said that at present, KSCDC’s facilities were under utilised. While the corporation has the capacity to employ 34,000 cashew workers, there are at present only 17,000 workers. Retirements over the years and failure to fill up the vacancies had caused the shortage. By September the KSCDC will be filling up all the vacancies, he informed. “The four new products are also part of the moves to aimed at redesigning the KSCDC.”

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