<p>Kerala is seeking to collaborate with supplier-countries in Africa to facilitate direct procurement of raw cashew nuts for processing factories here.The State government is hosting a two-day conclave here on ‘Cashew trade for common good’ in association with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and involving diplomats from African countries, including Madagascar, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Gambia, Togo, and Mali. Kerala Minister for Cashew and Fisheries J Mercikuttiamma requested the MEA to direct Indian Ambassadors to facilitate direct procurement of cashew nuts and price negotiation.Ambassadors/ High Commissioners of African nations may be requested to sign or prepare the MoUs in consultation with their governments for long-term procurement from cooperatives or government institutions, subject to price agreements.</p>