<p></p><p>At a time when the cashew processing industry is heavily dependent on imported raw nuts from African countries, there is a dire need for Karnataka to expand cashew cultivation in the State, according to Prakash Kalbavi, former President of Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers’ Association, and a cashew exporter from Mangaluru. Speaking at a meet organised by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in association with Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) in Mangaluru on Thursday, he said Karnataka grows around 70,000 tonnes of raw cashewnuts a year and processes 2,50,000 tonnes. To meet the requirements of processing industry in the State, the sector is heavily dependent on imported raw nuts.</p> <p>Stating that there is a need to scale up raw cashew production, Kalbavi said the State has to take appropriate initiative if it has to grow. Stating that India’s cashew exports are on decline, he said the annual domestic consumption is growing at a rate of 7-8 per cent. There is no surplus to export. At present, the country processes around 1.7 million tonnes of cashew a year.<br></p><p></p>