Kerala   

Kudumbasree eyes new options in Kasaragod

KASARAGOD: After its successful foray into the micro-industries sector in the State, the Kudumbasree Mission is now planning huge investments in cashew nut and apple processing industries. The Kudumbasree Mission and the Kasaragod district panchayat have finalised a project in this regard.

The project has already been submitted to the State government for scrutiny and the clearance is expected soon, said Kudumbasree officials.

The project estimated to cost Rs.140 crore envisages opening cashew processing units in 20 panchayats in the district. This is the first time that Kudumbasree is planning to make such a huge investment in a single project, said officials of the Mission.

The project aims to make soft drinks of cashew, apple juice, value-added products of cashew nut and cashew nut shell liquid and market it in the domestic and international markets.

Kudumbasree will implement the project with the cooperation of local bodies and financial assistance from NABARD and banks. The Kerala Agricultural University, Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, and the National Research Centre for Cashew (NRCC), Puttur, Karnataka, will provide technical assistance.

The project aims to achieve a turnover of Rs.144 crore initially. As per the draft project, it would create 19 lakh excess working days in the district. Women are expected to be the main beneficiaries of the project.

According to Kudumbasree officials, those from the financially weaker sections and those having minimum education would benefit, as the jobs do not require high educational qualification.

As part of the project, cashew nut and apple collection and storage centres would come up in select panchayats. Processing units would also come up there. Kudumbasree activity groups, youth and farmers would be part of the project. Training will be given to the employees.

The project expects to utilise at least half the total quantity of cashew nut and apple produced in the district. According to data given by government agencies, the total value of cashew nut produced in the district is around Rs.64 crore.

The project also envisages setting up a marketing chain for selling cashew products. Agreements would be made with the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, Indian Coffee House, various hotel chains in the country, supermarkets, railways and airlines to market the product.

Kudumbasree will also market the product directly. Educated youth in the district are expected to get employment in the marketing and management sector.

It is also proposed to set up a quality control laboratory in the district with state-of-the-art facilities to maintain strict quality standards.

Expert opinion on modern agricultural practices would be provided to cashew farmers in the district as a part of the project.

According to Kudumbasree and the district panchayat, the project would augment the poverty alleviation schemes of the government and give a boost to the agricultural sector.

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