<p></p><p>The state government is planning to establish a cashew-processing cluster at Jeypore in Koraput district with an aim to increase productivity and create marketing link for growers and jobs for youths. As many as 55 cashew processing units are operating in the district. The detailed project report for the establishment of the cluster has been prepared, said official sources. "Work on it will start soon," said MSME minister Jogendra Behera at Jeypore on Tuesday. <br></p> <p>The minister was speaking at a workshop on 'Scope and opportunities in MSME sector for self-employment' organized on the occasion of Entrepreneurs Week-2016 which commenced on March 5. The minister said climatic condition of Koraput is very much conducive for cashew cultivation and the cashew produced here is unique in taste and has much demand in other parts of the country. <br></p> <p>However, in recent times cashew production in the area has come down owing to to a number of factors, one being lack of government support. Even cashew processing units here are forced import cashew from other countries. <br></p> <p>"Once the cluster starts operating, it will boost production as the cashew nut growers will be imparted in-depth training on cultivation by government agencies," he said. <br></p> <p>As role of small scale industries is pivotal in stabilizing the economy, the minster exhorted the youths not to waste time by running after jobs and urged them to establish their own startups which will create jobs. <br></p> <p>Emphasising the need to promote agro and food based enterprises in Koraput region as cashew, coffee, sugarcane and ginger are produced in plenty here, Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati urged the minister to remove the bottlenecks faced by young entrepreneurs aiming to set up new enterprises. There should be a fixed time frame for clearing a project report, sanctioning bank loan and providing other facilities like electricity and water for a new project, said Bahinipati. <br></p> <p>Admitting that entrepreneurs are facing much problem while getting loans from banks, the minister assured steps to ensure that enterprising youths are not harassed. Over 150 entrepreneurs from Koraput, Nabarangpur and Rayagada districts took part in the workshop.<br></p><p></p>