THRISSUR: The four-member delegation of SENS ( Solidarites Entreprise Nord- sud) has expressed interest in the value-added products from Cashew apple while visiting Kerala Agricultural University’s Cashew Research Station (CRS) at Madakkathara.
The French entrepreneurship development company has also announced its intent to adopt the technologies for cashew apple processing in their units in Africa.
“We have entrepreneurship development programmes in many countries. The state of Benin exports high quality cashew. But the cashew apple is fully wasted and the processing technologies of KAU look promising to boost farmers’ income,” said Anne Meyer, Charge de mission, SENS.
Michel Pernot Du Breuil, one of the delegates, said that KAU could provide training for the entrepreneurs. “We are impressed with the simple but effective post-harvest management of cashew apple. At least, four or five products made from cashew apple can find market in other countries. We look forward for an effective collaboration with KAU in sharing these technologies,” he said.
Ghislaine Pernot Du Breuil and Marx Abidji, other members of the delegation, endorsed his view.
KAU Vice-Chancellor Dr P Rajendran offered support to the delegation and expressed its willingness to collaborate in imparting training to the entrepreneurs sponsored by the firm. “Apart from the processing of cashew apple to produce squash, wine, candy, vinegar, carbonated soft drink and pickle, training in advanced farming techniques of cashew as well as inter-cropping methods can also be imparted,” the VICec-Chancellor said.
Dr P V Balachandran, director (Extension),CRS head Dr P B Pushpalatha and Dr A Sobhana explained the various technologies to the delegation.