Economic Viability of Processing Technology in Bastar Region: A Study on Extraction of Cashew Kernel

The paper has studied the economic viability of improved technology for extraction of cashew kernel from cashew nut using cost concept. The technology (boiling, steaming, cutting, drying and peeling) has been found superior to conventional practices (traditional manual separation by stone or hammer) on account of higher recovery of 40 per cent and cost reduction by 29.7 per cent. The overall net profit per unit in the case of improved technology has been estimated to be 8.92 lakh. The mechanical decortications and separation could not only save time and money but also reduce women drudgery (due to manual breaking by stone or hammer to separate kernel). The technology has been found suitable for promotion of entrepreneurship on the processing of cashew kernel from cashew nut in the production catchments which otherwise is not properly utilized