KANNUR: Jiju grafted and developed Cashew King, the king of cashews. 80 cashew per kg. An income of Rs.3 lakh per acre. Can be harvested in the second year. Quality and good yield. No need for fertilizer and other treatments. Yield even in adverse weather conditions. This rare cashew is entering the farm of the Malayalees in South Africa.
Jiju turned to cashews when many crops failed which led to losses. It was twenty years ago. Mother's cashew was found on the plantation of Kottiyoor Chappamala. Native species. It, along with another native variety from the homestead, was grafted in his own nursery and planted and raised on his own farm. Experiments were carried out on it for ten years. When it was harvested, I decided to name it. Be the king of cashews... Cashew King!
With that, Jiju's dreams blossomed. Now many people are coming from home and abroad in search of Cashew King. Prevalent even in South Africa. Cashew King is a boon to farmers when other cashews become less productive and dry up due to climate change. The cashew king is in full fruit in Jiju's garden. Now is harvest time.
Jiju has vast experience in agriculture. Various fruits are cultivated extensively in Karnataka and pineapple in Maharashtra. Demand for cashew king is increasing in these states as well. Jiju, who has been running a nursery for agricultural seedlings for two-and-a-half decades, is also an expert in mist drip irrigation.
'With no weeding, fertilizing, or pesticide spraying, it is an easy income-producing crop.'
-Jiju Padiyakandam, Cashew Farmer, Kelakam