Goa produced 17.87 thousand tonnes of cashew in 2025-26; Centre extends support for processing units

Goa Khabar : Goa produced an estimated 17.87 thousand tonnes of cashew during 2025-26, according to the Second Advance Estimates of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, placing the state among the key contributors to cashew production in the Konkan region.

The figures were shared by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur in the Lok Sabha in response to an Unstarred Question raised by Member of Parliament Narayan Rane. The Ministry informed the Parliament that the Konkan region, comprising the coastal areas of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka, is estimated to have produced 266.48 thousand tonnes of cashew during 2025-26. Of this, Maharashtra accounted for 182.79 thousand tonnes, Karnataka 65.82 thousand tonnes, while Goa contributed 17.87 thousand tonnes.

The Minister clarified that horticulture production data is maintained state-wise and not region-wise, and that no separate data on cashew by-products is maintained by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

The Minister also pointed out a series of measures aimed at strengthening cashew cultivation, processing and value addition, which are expected to benefit growers and entrepreneurs. Through the Directorate of Cashewnut and Cocoa Development (DCCD), Kochi, the Government is implementing Cashew Development Programmes under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) to improve productivity, expand cultivation, promote value addition and facilitate the adoption of advanced technologies.

As part of the post-harvest support, financial assistance is available for establishing and upgrading primary processing units for drying, grading and minimal processing of cashew. The assistance is provided at 35 per cent of the capital cost, subject to a maximum of Rs. 12.25 lakh under MIDH norms. The Minister said that the Ministry also supports cashew production and processing projects under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana based on the requirements projected by the states.

In addition, primary processing units for cashew are eligible for support under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, which offers a three per cent interest subvention along with credit guarantee benefits to eligible beneficiaries, providing further impetus to value addition and infrastructure development in the cashew sector, Ramnath Thakur said.