<p></p><p>Minister for Environment and Forest B. Ramanath Rai assured the State government’s commitment to strengthen the Karnataka Cashew Development Board, which, at present, is not of much use to cashew growers. <br></p> <p>During an interaction with Mr. Rai at the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Monday, a cashew trader pointed that the board was not doing much to improve yield of raw cashew that was in much demand for cashew processing units in the district.</p> <p></p> <p>The trader said because of lack of availability of raw cashew locally, the processing units are forced to import 1.5 lakh ton every year for meeting quantity of cashew exported and also the local demand of cashew. <br></p> <p>“There is a lot of land available with the corporation. But so far no initiative has been taken to grow cashew,” the trader said. A representative of Karnataka Cashew Development Board expressed difficulty in growing anything in their land for lack of funds. <br></p> <p>Agreeing with the cashew trader, Mr. Rai expressed the need to strengthen the board. “We are ready to provide funds for the Board (for growing cashew in its area); but we are not sure whether it is viable,” Mr. Rai said. <br></p> <h1>Employment mela</h1> <p>Earlier Mr. Rai said he was planning to hold a mega employment mela here, in November, in which companies from different parts of the country and even from Middle East will be invited. “I have already had a discussion. A final discussion will be held in Bengaluru shortly. <br></p> <p>On the problem raised about poor condition of Shiradi Ghat Road stretch between Mangaluru and Bengaluru, Mr. Rai said the State government was going ahead with the proposal to have green by-pass in the ghat.<br></p><p></p>