The Cashew, a money spinning tree and native to Brazil was brought to India by Portuguiese about 300 years ago. India is the leading producer of cashew nuts. The Corporation  which has large holding of 18,172 ha. under cashew plantations, produces between 1,800 and 2,000 M.T. of cashew nuts depends upon weather conditions. The Corporation raises about 1,000 ha. cashew plantations per annum with proven clonal plants VRI-I,II,III and IV clones by converting over matured and seed origin less stocked cashew plantations.  While converting the matured plantations into young plantations with cashew grafts (230 plants/ ha). 10 to 20 proven mother trees /ha., are retained to augment revenue to Corporation.  The Corporation has raised about 5,768 ha. cashew graft  plantations since 1992 out of 18,200 ha.

The revenue for the past 7 years.

The wide variations in revenue realization from cashew plantation are due to fluctuations of cashew nut prices in domestic and international market, extent of plantations leased out in that particular year, rainfall pattern and temperature. Large extent of fresh plantations taken up after conversion of existing matured cashew plantations during last two years have also brought down the revenue realization.  

ROOT STOCK OF CASHEW FOR GRAFTING

Cashew Grafts Plants Kept in the  Mist Chamber for Fusion

13 NUTS IN ONE PANICLE WHICH IS JUST TOUCHING THE GROUND

3 YEAR OLD GRAFT WITH FRUITS IN THE LOWER BRANCH

(+ TREE) YEAR OF PLANTING -1965 

(+ TREE ) SEMAKOTTAI NORTH UNIT CRA

  2 Year Old Cashew Graft Plantation

This operation is aimed at upgrading the productivity of the plantations. Cashew plantations suffer from pest attack, congestion, weed competition and soil compaction. Hence, Intensive Culture Operation is resorted to such plantations once in 4 years. This operation envisages removal of dead and diseased trees, clearing and uprootal of weeds and followed by deep disc ploughing, earthen bunding for every 1 to 4 ha. depending  upon  soil is formed to conserve moisture. Corporation tackles about 2,500 to 3,000 ha., annually. This operation improves the quality of plantations, thus increasing the yield.

A VIEW OF INTENSIVE CULTURAL OPERATIONS CARRIED-OUT IN 1995 MUDUKULAM CASHEW PLANTATION

1994 MUDUKULAM CASHEW PLANTATION

1994 MUDUKULAM CASHEW PLANTATION

1995 SILUVAICHERY CASHEW PLANTATION (CRA)

1983  THIRUKONAM CASHEW PLANTATION (BIT II)

As per Corporation  diversification activities, Indian Gooseberry (Nelli) of improved varieties are introduced on a smaller scale in Corporation  areas. The Nelli project was launched during 2000-2001 and so far the Corporation has planted about 200 ha. The Nelli plants planted with clones of approved varieties are likely to yield in 2 years.  Approved clonal varieties of kanjan, chakkia, Krishna, NA7 and BSR  are planted.

Successfully Grafted Nelli Plantation Kept for Planting

2-YEAR-OLD Nelli Plantation With Fruiting

Plantations of other species like Teak, Casuarina, Bamboo etc., are under smaller extent and they are being maintained and harvested properly.  Matured Teak plantation in Padugai areas of Cauvery river are extracted periodically and replanted with teak in the same area. The Corporation has attempted raising medicinal  plants.