Study planned on nutrition value of cashew

The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI), which is celebrating its golden jubilee this year, is committed to propogating the intrinsic nutritional values of cashews and dispel the unfounded myth that pervades many sections of the society.

"There are a number of studies which indicate that treenuts (cashew is a treenut) are not only cholesterol free but also good for the heart and overall health. A time has come to initiate globally acceptable scientific studies to prove this point. It is also necessary to propogate the findings through structured awareness and promotional activities," said CEPCI chairman Walter D'Souza.

A project proposal at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore has already been prepared and submitted to the government of India, he said in a release.

In the golden jubilee year, the CEPCI has plans to evolve a strategy to arrest the collosal waste of the cashew apple, which is expected to generate about 20 per cent more realisation for the growers at an aggregate value of about Rs 400 crore.

During the last 50 years, all the exports have been in bulk. There is a potential for value addition in consumer packs of about Rs 500 crore, D'Souza added.