An Economic Analysis of Cashew Nut Processing in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh State: A Case Study

The study aims to estimate the processing cost of cashew nut in Bastar district and Bastar plateau (C.G. state). Cashew nut (Anacardium occidentalL) is a tropical tree crop of much importance. The cashew tree is a low spreading evergreen. The mature tree has a prominent tap root system with extensive network of lateral roots. It starts flowering in 3 to 5 years. Cashew is grown in India, Brazil, Vietnam, Tanzania, Mozambique, Indonesia Sri Lanka and other tropical Asian countries like Philippines, Thailand and African countries like Kenya and Nigeria. At present, it is grown in more than 28 countries in the world. India occupies first place in terms of area as well as production of Cashew nut. In India, cashew is grown in mainly Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala along with the west-coast and Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal along the east-coast. In Chhattisgarh, it is being cultivated in Bastar, Dantewada. Kanker, Raigarh, Sarguja and Jashpur district occupying an area of 8000 ha with a production of 3.0 thousand metric tons and productivity of 460 kg/ha (raw nut). The study is based on secondary data. The total processing cost of cashew nut as found observed Rs. 1500 per quintal cutting and pilling contributed around 53.34 per cent processing cost. Other processing cost which includes boiling (13.33%) packing (13.33) drying fuel and electricity and other contributed 6.67 per cent, respectively.