<p>Cashew nut production in India has more than doubled over the last twenty years. Despite this, however, poor yield in comparison with competitors, such as Vietnam, is still a concern for the industry. According to official estimates, raw cashew output in 2012-13 is about 7.3 lakh tonnes (lt) from an area of over 9.8 lakh hectares. This is against 3.48 lt from 5.65 lakh hectares in 1993-94 and 5 lt from 7.7 lakh hectares in 2002-03.</p> <p>Concerted efforts by the Directorate of Cashew and Cocoa Development coupled with that of National and State Horticulture Missions have resulted in the growth. Vietnam has improved its production in recent years, taking top spot in cashew production from India. Total raw cashew production in Vietnam in 1993 was 1.86 lt from 69,100 hectares. It shot up to 12.73 lt from a total area of 3.31 lakh hectares in 2011, according to the latest FAO statistics.</p> <p>The yield from a hectare is currently 3.8 tonnes in Vietnam against India's 772 kg. Industry experts say India's productivity issues are related to use of ild plantations for cultivation.</p> <p>De Abdul Salam, Vice Chancellor of Calicut University, who has made significant contributions to crop development, says that plantations require replanting with newer, higher yielding varieties. India has 24% of the world's cashew production area and yet only manages to grow 19% of the total global yield, whilst Vietnam, with 10% of area under cultivation produces much more in terms of volume.</p>