The Tamil Nadu Cashew Processors and Exporters Association (TNCPEA) has applied for the Panruti cashews to be designated as a Geographical Indication (GI). The MSME Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre of the Madurai Agri-Business Incubation Forum of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development facilitated the filing of the tag.
According to M. Ramakrishnan, secretary of TNCPEA, “we have been pursuing the GI status for Panruti cashews, and the Tamil Nadu government is also interested in obtaining the status for traditional unique products from the district, including Panruti jackfruit and cashews.”
Panruti Cashews: GI tag will boost cashew industry
“Panruti cashews are one-of-a-kind in nature due to their flavor and quality. Not only would GI tagging of Panruti cashews boost the industry, but it would also boost secondary economic activities in the region and protect the interests of farmers and cashew exporters from the region,” he explained.
According to the application, despite their slight diminutive size, Panruti cashews have an unmatched market value. It is colloquially referred to as the ‘goldmine’ of Cuddalore and is in high demand throughout India and the world.
Panruti accounts for approximately 35,000 hectares of the State’s total 1,42,000 hectares under cashew cultivation. There are approximately 32 export-oriented units in the region, in addition to 250 processing units and 500 cottage industries. Cashew cultivation and processing units are distributed across 376 villages in the district’s taluks of Cuddalore, Panruti, Vriddachalam, and Kurunjipadi. Panruti cashew trees are primarily grown on laterite, red, and coastal sands.
Panruti’s cashew apples are also distinctive. The apple is round in shape and is a vibrant red color. The average fruit weighs 42.80 gm, while the nuts weigh an average of 6.63 gm and the kernel weighs 1.7 gm. With a grade W 320 kernel count, the shelling percentage was 28.5.
According to an international study, the Panruti variety out of six cashew varieties selected from various parts of India demonstrated significant results in terms of its high raw protein content of 23.0g/100g. Mr. Ramakrishnan added that the Panruti cashew has a low moisture content when compared to other varieties, citing a study published in the Food Science and Nutrition Journal.