<p>The Kerala Government is contemplating acquiring 50,000 hectares in Andhra Pradesh to raise cashew crop. If the A.P. Government agrees to give land on lease, the cultivation will be taken up by the Kerala Agency for Expansion of Cashew Cultivation (KSACC). The autonomous agency was set up in 2007 with headquarters in Kollam to explore taking up cultivation in more area following migration of several cashew farmers to rubber crop.The lease issue will figure during a meeting of the Kerala Minister for Fisheries, Cashew Industry and Harbour Engineering J. Mercykutty Amma with A.P. Agriculture Minister Prathipati Pulla Rao in Vijayawada on Monday. <br></p> <p>Ms. Amma, who is on a visit to Visakhapatnam to interact with industrial and cashew workers to seek support for the September 2 general strike, told The Hindu on Sunday that she would make a formal proposal during the talks for sanction of 99-year lease. Asked whether they had made any study or zeroed in on any place for cultivating cashew, she said they were yet to make a specific study. “Whatever, our workers are known for their superior skills in cashew cultivation and processing. As of now, we want to take land on lease near Rajamahendravaram area.” <br></p> <p>The Minister said once the A.P. Government evinced interest a high-level team would be sent for preparing a detailed project report. <br></p> <p>Flight of units</p><p>The Minister said that due to payment of high wages to cashew workers over 100 units had migrated to Andhra Pradesh. During the talks with Mr. Pulla Rao, she said she would request the A.P. Government to revise minimum wages on the lines of Kerala. Presently, Kerala is producing 75,000 tonne of cashew crop. “Land has become a big problem for us. Hence, we are looking at exploring various alternatives,” she said.<br></p>