Boost for cashew in North

by Mohammed NAALIR

Moves are in place to boost cashew cultivation in the North under the "Uthuru Wasanthaya" 180 days accelerated Northern development program while promoting the cashew cultivation in the Eastern Province under the Neganahira Navodhaya (Eastern Resurgence), the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation sources said.

Cashew will be planted in 20,000 hectares in the North under the "Uthuru Wasanthaya" accelerated development program.

A training centre for those engaged in cashew cultivation and a cashew collection centre will also be established in Ampara.

Cashew has been cultivated in 40,528 hectares in Puttalam, Kurunegala, Matale, Polannaruwa, Badulla, Ampara, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Moneragala, Ratnapura and Hambantota Districts.

Fifty per cent of the cashew cultivation is undertaken in the dry zones of the country the Corporation sources added.