<p></p><p>The University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (UAHS), Shivamogga, will establish a Centre for Development of Cashew Crop in Tumari village in the Sharavathi backwater region in the district, said its Vice-Chancellor C. Vasudevappa.He was speaking after inaugurating a training programme for farmers on cultivation of cashew crop on the university campus in the city on Tuesday.He said that the area of cultivation of cashew crop has enhanced in a rapid manner in Karur and Barangi hoblis in the Sharavathi backwater region.The proposed Centre would provide training for farmers on scientific methods of cultivation of cashew crop. High-yield varieties of cashew saplings would be distributed. The State government has allocated an amount of Rs. 30 lakh in the 2015-16 State Budget for establishing the Centre, he said.A germplasm bank of cashew saplings has already been established on the main campus of UAHS, Shivamogga, where 20 varieties of cashew have been conserved. <br></p> <h1>Saplings distributed</h1> <p>The university is also distributing cashew saplings to interested farmers at a nominal price on its main campus and at its Agricultural and Horticultural Research Stations in Bavikere and in Ullal, he said.He said that returns from cultivation of ginger, which is grown on vast tracts in Sagar, Hosanagar, Shikaripur and Tirthahalli taluk, is no longer lucrative.The decline in ginger yield due to fungal infection and price fluctuations have led to losses for farmers.Farmers growing ginger can switch over to cashew crop, which is conducive for the climate of Malnad region. He urged farmers to experiment with growing cashew under the high-density cultivation method, he said. <br></p> <p>P. Narayanaswamy, Director of Research, UAHS, Shivamogga; Vishwanath Shetty, Assistant Director of Research; and Deputy Director of Department of Horticulture M. Vishwanath were present.<br></p><p></p>