Growing Cashews

Cashew 

Cashewis one of the most important edible seeds in the world, secondonly to almond because of its taste and phosphorus, VitaminA and iron content. This was brought over to the Philippinesfrom South America and India.

Theworld demand cashew is big and supply is short. Accordingto experts, we would need 3,000 hectares of land to plantcashew in to meet the demands for it between n1990-1995. Thisis not for local consumption but for world export as well.The biggest consumer for cashew is the U.S. where 55-60% ofour cashew exports goes to, follow by Europe at 35%.

Cashewis one of the 40 fruits that have a big foreign demand, butwhich cannot be met locally.

Thecashew tree grows fast. It takes years before it bears fruitif planted from the see, but this can be reduced to 20 monthsif grafted from a fruit-bearing tree. Each tree yields about20 to 100 kilos, and lives up to forty years.

Cashewgrows even on soil that is not fertile. It does not need muchcare or watering. It can be planted in marginal lands in preventingerosion.

Itsfruits can be eaten raw or dried, made into juice or wine.Fruits are eaten as vegetables or pickles, and young leavesmade into salad.

Butthe most important is the seed. It contains light yellow oil,like almond oil. Its oil used as protection against termite,which is applied on posts, floors, beams and the like. Thisis also used as proofing in fish net, bancas, and for waterproofing wood and gluing bamboo walls.

Thisalso drives away insect pests if mixed with 95% kerosene.The oil from the bark is used as glue in the manufacture ofpaint and ink.

From:Greenfields May 1990