ISHS Acta Horticulturae 108: International Cashew Symposium
FOREWORD |
| Authors: | J.G. Ohler, K.V. AHAMED BAVAPPA |
| Abstract:
The first International Cashew Symposium held at Cochin in 1979 was a worldwide recognition of the importance this crop has obtained in the second half of this century. This statement was underlined by the co-operation between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the Indian Society for Plantation Crops and the International Society for Horticultural Sciences in the organization of this symposium. Lack of communication between the various countries where research on cashew was undertaken resulted in complete overlapping of research programmes in some fields and almost no research in other aspects of this crop. Only an effective exchange of information between the various research institutes could improve this situation. The papers read during the symposium were of great value and many delegates were surprised by the number of countries where research on cashew is going on and by the importance of its cultivation in these countries. Apart from the official programme, the delegates benefited very much from the direct contact with colleagues from other countries. Discussions before and after the sessions were as animated as the discussions during the sessions, and it may be assumed that the symposium has achieved its goal. I have no doubt that I speak in name of all participants when I express our feelings of great thankfulness for the great hospitality we have received in Cochin, for the perfect organization, and for all the efforts made to make this meeting as fruitful and pleasant as possible.
We all hope that this symposium will be followed by a second one.
Which country would accept the challenge? Tree nuts have been one of the oldest sources of food for man. Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) leads them in world production with 450,000 tons raw nuts and ranks third in the international trade after hazel nuts and almonds. Cashew is indigenous to South America. The Portuguese brought it into India during the 16th century; from India it is believed to have spread to other tropical countries. India, Tanzania and Mozambique are the leading producers of raw cashewnuts. Though export figures fluctuate widely from year to year, India exports about 32,000 tons processed nuts annually earning over 1,300 million rupees every year. Dwindling export share consequent to development of processing facilities in other countries and increasing competition from other nut crops like macadamia were of great concern to the Indian Cashew Industry. Cashew research in India dates back to 1950's when Indian Council of Agricultural Research sanctioned ad hoc schemes in the then composite Madras, Travancore, Cochin and Bombay States. Thus Kottarakkara (Kerala) in 1952; Ullal (Karnataka in 1953 and Vengurla (Maharastra) in 1957 came into being as pioneering cashew centres in the country. More research schemes were started with ICAR's assistance in 1955 at Bapatla (Andhra Pradesh) and in 1956 at Deragaon (now shifted to Kothiali) in Assam. During the period Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore and National Chemical Laboratory, Pune were also engaged in developing technologies for economic utilisation of cashew apple and Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL). In the second phase of strengthening cashew research in India, the ICAR started All India Spices and Cashewnut Improvement Project in 1971 linking different research centres in the country as a network. Collection, conservation and evaluation of germplasm, hybridization and selection, vegetative propagation, and nutritional studies were the primary areas under this programme. Research on cashew in other parts of the world has been fragmentary. However, considerable interest in this crop had been evinced of late by a number of countries. To take stock of the situation and plan future research and development work, an International Cashew Symposium was jointly organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Indian Society for Plantation Crops and the International Society for Horticultural Sciences for the first time in the world during March, 1979 at Cochin, Kerala, India. The Films Division of Government of India brought out a special film to commemorate the first International Cashew Symposium. A monograph on cashew and a bibliography on cashew work in India were also released. This book “Cashew Research and Development” contains papers presented in six sessions, both as oral and poster presentations. In addition Status Reports on Cashew Genetic Resources from India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Philippines and Australia also find a place in this book. The session on vegetative propagation contains invited papers covering the work done in India from the inception of cashew research. A total of 216 delegates from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Kenya, Zambia, Suriname, England, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, Italy, Spain, and Food and Agricultural Organisation, Rome, participated in the four day deliberations. The financial assistance given by the Government of Kerala, Karnataka Horticultural Department, Cashew Corporation of India, Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Agricultural Department of Tamil Nadu, Orissa Forest Department, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University and Karnataka Cashew Corporation is gratefully acknowledged. The successful conduct of the Symposium was possible due to the initiative and inspiration given by Dr.
M.S. Swaminathan, then Director General of ICAR, and Dr.
N.M. Nayar, former Director of Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, who, as Organising Committee and Programme Committee Chairman, has shouldered the entire responsibility to conduct this Symposium in India.
Special mention need to be made of Mr.
J.G. Ohler, Royal Tropical Institute, who was instrumental to the idea of organising an international cashew symposium in India. | |
