A Cashew Promotion and Awareness programme was organised in Mysuru on Wednesday jointly by Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers’ Association (KCMA) and Hotel Owners’ Association of Mysuru. According to president of KCMA Anantha Krishna Rao, the Cashew Promotion and Awareness programme in Mysuru was part of the string of activities planned to mark the 100th year of cashew processing in Karnataka. “KCMA has come out with a plan to target 20 districts to organise ‘Meet and Greet’ with the small and medium scale traders in the area. We shall prompt these traders to penetrate the market further, assuring all support from our members, ultimately aiming at market expansion for cashews,” Mr. Rao said in a statement. KCMA members will be working on building an efficient supply chain at all these districts to ensure timely deliveries of best quality Mangalore Graded Cashew Kernels, he said. KCMA aims to benefit the State directly by increasing local sales volume by ensuring supply and also increase employment opportunities at factories. “These events are ultimately aimed at creating a larger market for cashew, which in turn would result in a better price realisation for the farmers, ultimately adding to the crop size,” he said. Pointing out that India was riding a “consumption boom”, Mr. Rao said cashew processors can ride the wave by marketing the product. The events planned during the year are in line with the goal of KCMA to be able to grow atleast 50% of the cashews that were processed in India, Mr. Rao said in the statement. President of Hotel Owners’ Association of Mysuru K.C. Narayana Gowda inaugurated the Cashew Promotion and Awareness programme in Mysuru on Wednesday.