Twice the farmer’s income: Sabroom likely to get cashew nut processing unit

In an apparent bid to enhance the income of farmers, South Tripura district administration is contemplating to set up a cashew nut processing unit in Sabroom so that the farmers could obtain the best possible rates of their produces.

The ambitious move would increase the income of farmers manifold. Right now, raw cashews (Cashew apples) are sold in Rs 100 per Kg. If the market dips, the prices sometimes stop to Rs 65 to 70 per Kg. But, if the processing unit, as planned becomes operational, the processed cashew nuts can be sold at much higher prices.

Agriculture officer, Ajoy Debbarma hoped if the SEZ become operational in Jalefa, the agricultural products of Sabroom would receive huge upliftment in terms of market.

“The local farmers will be able to sell their products in the international markets. initially, we have planned to open a processing unit in Sabroom for the cashew producers of Sabroom through SHGs through a multi-food processing unit is also going to be set up in the proposed industrial area of SEZ” Debbarma told this correspondent.

When asked of the income related issues of the farmers out of Cashew, he said, cashews remained an integral part of Sabroom since the long. Cashew apples have been grown here since decades. In last few years farmers lost interest in cashew farming as the rubber made its way through the interior areas with an assurance of good earning. But, he added, as the rubber prices receded, farmers are gradually switching over to cashew once again.

A farmer of Ratanmuni ADC village under Sabroom sub-division, said, “I personally cultivated cashew in half Kani (local of land). In this season I have sold cashew apples worth Rs 27,000”. He also hoped that if the processing unit had been set up the farmers of the region would be benefitted largely.

Apart from cashews, plantation of areca nut, coconut, and pineapple is also moving ahead in full swing. According to experts, areca nuts—which are not less than a cash crop for the state, can generate three times more earning than any other agriculture produces.

“If areca nuts are cultivated and maintained religiously, it can give three times better results than rubber or any other products. Many private companies procure areca nuts in large quantities from farmers, sometimes even with advance payments” Ajoy Debbarma told this correspondent.            

Notably, Sabroom, the last most township in the Southern part of the state, assumed significance for its prospects of international connectivity through Feni Bridge. Declaration of much ambitious SEZ in Jalefa under the subdivision also made the area viable for expanded economic growth.