The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI) was founded in 1955 with the sole objective of promoting the cashew industry like cashew kernels and Cashew nut shell liquid from the country. While it was established by an act of the government, the real force behind this was the cashew industry.
What Is The Objective Of The Council?
CEPCI is the result of the active cooperation by the leading cashew manufacturers who want to take their products to the global markets where they can get the best price for their produce. And they need a government body to work as an intermediary between exporters and importers. CEPCI was established to help manufacturers capture foreign markets.
CEPCI undertakes numerous activities like hosting global buyer-seller meets to encourage international buyers to come to India and give business to cashew manufacturers in India. The buyers rely on the government body that they see as an assurance of quality products and timely delivery. Today India stands on top of cashew export, and it is all due to the sincere efforts of the council.
According to the council, the country earned Rs. 4,390 crores in 2011-12 from cashew export. And the maximum cashew goes to the US. It imported close to 47,611 tons of cashew at a value of Rs. 1,470.47 crores during 2011-12. The US is followed by the UAE and the Netherlands in cashew exports. The country is doing well in cashew export, and the council has a vital role in increasing cashew export.
A Brief History Of Cashew Plantations In India
Cashew had a humble beginning in India during the latter half of the 16th century. Introduced for afforestation and soil conservation but little did the manufacturers know that it will become an export product in the future and earn foreign exchange for the country. Cashew cultivation in India is done on the west and eastern coast.
Eight states are leading in cashew production. They are Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. In addition to these states, cashew is produced in some pockets of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Meghalaya,
Nagaland, and Tripura. In 2010-11, the country had 9.53 lack hectares under cashew cultivation, and the production was 6.74 lack tons of raw cashew nuts.
Over time, the manufacturers have developed different varieties of cashew nuts. For example, Andhra Pradesh produces BPP 4, BPP 6, and BPP 8 varieties of cashew. There are other varieties available like Chintamani 1, Chintamani 2, Priyanka, and Amrita which are mainly grown in Karnataka. The council is also trying to bring more area under cultivation and develop more varieties to capture a larger share of the market.
The council provides both technical help and education to cashew manufacturers. It wants to help everyone who wants to grow cashew and increase the country’s export. Indian cashew is in great demand in the international market. The US is the biggest importer of Indian cashews, but the manufacturers are also trying to expand their reach to other markets.
Conclusion
It won’t be an exaggeration to say that the future of cashew production and export lies in the hands of the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India. The council has to play an active role in the growth and development of the industry that sees a bright future in cashew. This fruit could have a humble beginning, but its future is bright.
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