Vol. 7, Issue 9, Part D (2025)

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) holds global significance as one of the most important plantation crops, contributing substantially to rural employment, industrial development, and India’s foreign exchange earnings. Introduced by the Portuguese in the 16^th century, cashew has evolved into a major agro-based industry, with India now ranking as the second-largest producer and processor worldwide. This paper comprehensively examines the cashew sector in India, covering its history, global and domestic production trends, cost of cultivation, profitability, processing techniques, marketing channels, products and by-products, SWOT analysis, and institutional support. Findings reveal that despite cashew’s profitability and its role in livelihood security, challenges such as low orchard productivity, high processing costs, and dependence on imported raw nuts persist. At the same time, opportunities exist in mechanization, product diversification, and value addition, supported by agencies like the Directorate of Cashew Nut and Cocoa Development (DCCD) and the Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI). Strengthening productivity, enhancing processing efficiency, and expanding value-added products will be crucial for sustaining India’s competitiveness in the global cashew industry.