<p>Boosted by pre-monsoon rains most cashew growers have experienced one the best crop yields in recent years.</p> <p>The season normally starts during the last week of March or the first week of April. "But the unseasonal rain, in February, was good for the cashew crop, although the mango crop was adversely affected," said Madhav Sahakari, president of the Goa Cashew Manufacturers Association.Association adviser A S Kamath added, "The early rain towards the end of February helped the crop and most farmers got a better yield." The heat wave, with mercury soaring to 37 degrees Celsius consecutively during the first week of March, transformed the cashew flower to the seed stage and then to a mature fruit at a rapid pace.Most of the cashew crop was harvested between March and April and by mid-May the industry had completed their purchases from farmers. "At least 85% of the crop was harvested by the end of April," said Kamath.</p> <p>The farmers received a good price at the commencement of the season. "At least 85% of the cashew nuts were sold at 76 per kg and the remaining between 72 to 60 per kg at the peak time," added Sahakari.The farmers benefited from the support price offered by the government as well. Goa is the only state in the country where farmers are assured a price of 90 per kg of cashew nuts. The difference of the price paid by processors to farmers is made good by the government support price.About 10 years ago, the state produced around 24,000 tonnes of cashew nuts, but this figure has gradually declined to around 17,000 tonnes. "This year, we may have crossed 20,000 tonnes. Overall, the production is 40% more than last year's and around 20% better than the average crop," said Sahakari.</p>