Cashew arrived in Naxal affected Bastar 50 years ago. In these five decades cashew has now become Bastar's brand of horticultural crop. At present, its plants are growing on more than ten thousand hectares of land. (cg news hindi) These plants are producing more than 35 metric tons of cashew nuts every year. Cashew nuts of Idira and Vengurla varieties in Bastar are being exported nationally and internationally due to their large size. (chhattisgarh news) State government's Shabri and Central level TRIFED's Trive outlets have played a major role to brand cashew nuts in Bastar. The result of joint efforts of District Panchayat, Department of Horticulture, College of Horticulture is that cashew nut production is enough to change the image and destiny of Bastar. (jagdalpur news in hindi) Cashew trees can easily be seen waving in the forests of Bastanar, Tokapal, Bakavand, Darbha, Jagdalpur, Marhan area. It started as a nut collection business two decades ago. Then it was processed in bordering Odisha. (jagdalpur news in hindi) When the district administration got the news, they connected rural women's groups with cashew collection and processing. It had good results. This has led to the value addition of Bastar ke Kaju. Now this turnover has reached more than hundred crore rupees annually. In view of the better production of cashew nuts, small scale processing units have been set up in Turenaar, Rajnagar and other rural areas in Bakawand Block with the help of Jila Udyog Kendra. Processing and packaging is being done here throughout the year. (cg news today) Nuts of different sizes are being produced with simple machinery. People are buying cashew nuts hand in hand. Apart from this, Bastar cashew nuts are being sold in Shabri Mart, Sanjeevani Mart and TRIFED outlet of the state government. Trifed is exporting it to foreign countries under the Bastar brand name. (cg hindi news) It is in great demand because it is organic. Experts said that cashew nut collection and processing business is giving ten times profit. Along with this, there is a large market for the by-products of cashew nut oil, shavings, polish and other by-products. (cg bastar news) It is clear that cashew nuts will become Bastar's brand in the coming days. Karmari Key Group Director Rukmani said that last year cashew nuts were bought at the price of Rs 13 thousand per quintal, after processing, cashews are being sold to customers at the rate of Rs 800 per kg. In Bastar, women are responsible for the collection, production, packaging and marketing of cashews. He is getting good income from this. Their financial condition is also improving. In 10000 hectares - 10000 hectares of cashew nut plantations - 9000 metric tons cashew nut ka ho raha hai product - Selling at the rate of Rs 600 to Rs 1000 per kg - Prospect of 100 crore by product CNSL Block area A hectare of cashew nut Production metric tons Bastar 1381 1091 Bakawand 1848 1491 Jagdalpur 1382 1096 Tokapal 1841 1477 Darbha 1527 1237 Lohandiguda 933 736 Bastanar 379 9385 Kaju se ho saki hai better income Bastar ki abohava is favorable for cashews. Agricultural college is providing necessary information for planting Vengurala and Indira variety for good quality. It's processing is here to earn a lot of income. - Dr. Vikas Ramteke, Agricultural Scientist, College of Horticulture