Diplomats from 15 African nations visit Kerala cashew factory

KOLLAM: The diplomats from 15 African countries visited the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation's (KSCDC) factory at Ayathil here on Thursday. The visit was part of the cashew conclave held in Thiruvan-anthapuram and Kollam on Wednesday and Thursday  to boost the ties with these countries in the import of  raw cashew to the country.  

The government will sign a deal with Ivory Coast to import raw cashew within a few months, said cashew ,inister J. Mercykkutty Amma at a meeting with the ambassadors in Kollam.

The government wants to ensure a win-win situation for the countries joining the  cashew trade pact. In the African countries, the cashew farmers are underpaid and such deals would benefit them. Kerala also will get uninterrupted supply of raw cashew which will sustain the industry, the minister said. The government has proposed a Kollam – Africa brand of processed cashew with the  new tie-ups.

The diplomats were impressed by the labour intensive industry in the state whereas the industry in African countries is mostly mechanised. They also appreciated the superior quality of Kerala cashew during their visit to the factory. The government aims at providing maximum jobs to the workers with the new deals. It expects to import raw cashew at a cheap rate avoiding middlemen. The government will also promote cashew plantation with the technical assistance of  these countries. Value-added products from cashew will get international market through these tie-ups,   said Mr S. Jayamohan, KSCDC chairman.

The diplomats included those from  Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Togo, Gambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya and Madagascar.