Maharashtra occupies a prominent position in India’s cashew economy. The state cultivates cashew on nearly 1.9 lakh hectares and produces close to two lakh tonnes of raw cashew nuts annually. Nearly two lakh farmers depend on the crop for their livelihoods. Beyond production, Maharashtra has also emerged as an important centre for cashew processing and export, particularly in the Konkan region. Districts such as Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Palghar and Kolhapur form the backbone of the state’s cashew economy, supporting thousands of smallholders as well as a large network of processing units. Recognising the strategic importance of the crop, the Maharashtra Government has established the Maharashtra State Cashew Board to strengthen the entire cashew value chain. The Board’s mandate covers production, productivity improvement, processing, value addition and export promotion.