<p>Over 600 delegates attended the Kaju India 2017, global cashew summit in Bambolim recently. The summit had stakeholders deliberating on various issues such as development of innovative products from cashew, world market situations, future direction, quality and emerging markets. The summit was organised by the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPC). The Chief Minister did the inauguration while the key note address was by J Mercykutty Amma, minister for cashew industry, Kerala. NK. Premachandran, MP from Kerala also took part in the event.</p> <p>Day one had P Sundaran, chairman, CEPC, introducing the theme of the event and requesting the government of Goa to allot free office space as premises for a cashew board. The Chief Minister spoke on the importance of the cashew nut for the economy and offered full support for the development of the industry. Mercykutty Amma said that, cultivation will be encouraged with special drive for area expansion and establishing a special purpose vehicle for marketing of the nut. Premachandran, pointed out that, cashew being a highly labour intensive with majority of women workers from the economically weaker section of society needs special attention and support. Dr RK Bhoodes, vice-chairman, CEPCI welcomed the dignitaries and delegates and S Kannan, delivered the vote of thanks.</p> <p>Day two had Suresh Prabhu, commerce and industry minister presenting the export excellence awards for the year 2016-17. Addressing delegates, Prabhu asked the industry and the CEPCI to prepare an in-house business plan by including all the issues and recommending solutions as well as projecting the export growth to achieve US$ one billion. He has also opined that instead of forming a cashew board, the funds available may be used for strengthening the industry and promoting exports. He assured withdrawing the five per cent import duty on raw nut albeit in consultation with the finance minister.</p> <p>Members of CEPC pointed out that shortage of raw nuts and inadequate support for modernization and automation of the processing are major problems facing the industry.Deepak Vasant Kesarkar, minister of state for finance, planning and home (rural), Maharashtra was also present during the summit.</p>