With cashew again taking roots in Bastar, huge quantities will be produced this year in Chhattisgarh, bringing about a near revolution for fresh dwellers. Bastar's tasty cashews have increased the income of forest dweller families during this time of corona crisis, an official statement said on Friday. In view of the demand for cashews from Bastar, the Forest Department has made its stock available in Sanjeevani stores. The state government has also increased the support price of cashews. In the 1970s, the climatic condition of Bastar was found suitable for cashew farming. But after the plantation no proper mechanism was developed for its nourishment and conservation. Nor was attention paid towards its processing. Cashew collectors used to get on Rs 50-60 per kg as collection rate. Due to unavailability of processing unit, they were deprived of the processing value as well. Now, successful plantation of cashew is available in Bastar in nearly 15,000 hectares of land, with production capacity of 10-12,000 quintals. The cashew processing unit in Vandhan Vikas Kendra of Bakawand that was shut for years has been made operational again. The government has increased the support price of cashew to Rs 100 per kg, which has increased the collection of cashew to 5,500 quintals. This year, nearly 6,000 forest dweller families collected cashew, and each family earned an average of Rs 10,000. In Vandhan Vikas Kendra Bakawand, nearly 300 women engaged in cashew processing get continuous employment for eight months at the processing unit. During Covid-19, more than 6,300 families got employment in cashew collection and processing. About 6 percent of the country's minor forest produce is produced in Chhattisgarh. In the last four months, small forest produce of about Rs 148 crore rupees was purchased in the entire country, out of which small forest produce worth Rs 112 crore was procured by Chhattisgarh. This work was conducted through 3,500 women self-help groups in the state.