<p>The same hybrid variety had been released by the directorate on March 21, 2018 (Annual Cashew Day last year) for evaluation in farmers’ fields. The variety has precocious flowering behaviour and is suitable for high density planting. It has bold nuts weighing around 12-13 grams and its yield levels are also high. A website that serves as a tool for monitoring cashew phenology (depicting development stages such as sprouting, leaf development, flowering and fruiting) in relation to environmental parameters was also launched on the occasion. This will help in modifying the cultivation practices of a particular variety to get maximum yield, a release from the directorate said. </p><p>Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that there is shortage of raw cashew nuts for processing in different parts of the country. There is an urgent need to increase production and productivity of cashew to meet the shortage. She stressed on the need for adapting ultra high density planting system in cashew for higher yields in less space.</p> <p>M.G. Nayak, Director (in-charge), Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur, announced the formation of Cashew Growers’ Association of India on the occasion.</p> <p>Shirish, K., Special Officer (Cashew) and Managing Director, Kerala State Agency for Expansion of Cashew Cultivation, Anitha Karun, Director (in-charge), Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod, spoke.</p> An exhibition on cashew production technologies, different cashew varieties and cashew apple products had been organised. Various publications on cashew production and processing technologies had been displayed. More than 200 cashew farmers participated. <br><p></p>