Mechanisation to the rescue of Karnataka cashew processors during pandemic

Mechanisation of cashew factories appears to have assisted cashew processors in Karnataka in handling the predicament all through the pandemic.

K Prakash Rao, associate in Mangaluru-centered Kalbavi Cashews, told BusinessLine that cashew processing models in Karnataka have largely mechanised their manufacturing things to do. This has assisted processors in handling better in these tough occasions.

He said the selection of workers needed to course of action is minimized by seventy five per cent in automatic vegetation vis-a-vis manual processing models. With this, it is uncomplicated to control social distancing norms and safety measures all through functions, he said.

Standard operating procedures

Subraya Pai, President of Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers’ Affiliation (KCMA), told BusinessLine that cashew processing models are performing properly by keeping social distance and pursuing common operating procedures prescribed by the authorities.

“Mechanisation has assisted us quite properly in these types of a predicament,” he said.

There are in excess of 250 cashew models in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Shivamogga, Uttara Kannada, Kolar and Belagavi districts of Karnataka. Most of these models are now practical, even though at minimized potential.

Prakash Rao said that when the lockdown was imposed on March 23, most folks in the cashew marketplace puzzled if there would be demand for cashews in the pandemic occasions.

“We were all fearful as to what we would do with the uncooked material now procured and contracted, and if would we all stop up turning into NPAs. But to the fantastic reduction of all of us, cashews with other dry fruits are now pursued as a wholesome food items and, in fact, intake of these often boosts immunity by preserving the human body and intellect wholesome,” he said.

Stating that cashew intake started off increasing in May, he said June has noticed good offtake by most traders and fashionable retail chains. The month of July brought demand near to normalcy, he said.

On the other hand, Rao was of the view that the demand for Karnataka cashews could be due to offer disruption in other cashew developing origins these types of as Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha, wherever the affect of Covid-19 is a lot more extreme than in Karnataka.

“Most of the smaller makers in these States are unable to operate and control the present predicament as this action is however largely labour-intense there,” he said.