The commercial cultivation of cashew is mainly done in 8 states in India. These are Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, Orissa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Raw cashew is not a ready to eat product. Processing is a must. Raw cashews are processed to cashew nuts, which is one the famous dry fruits. These are consumed directly or converted to a variety of products like salted cashew nuts, Kaju Burfi, cashew curries etc In India, processing of cashew is manual and highly labour intensive process. Mechanization in cashew processing is picking up gradually. Here in this article, we intend to explore about how to start a semi-automatic cashew processing unit as small scale basis. Availability of raw material and optimum utilization of the plant is crucial in this manufacturing operation.
CASHEW PROCESSING – MARKET OPPORTUNITY
The demand for cashew nut is increasing rapidly. India is leading producer, processor, consumer and exporter of cashew nuts in the world. It is one of the important agricultural commodities exported from India to many countries in the world. About two third of cashew produced in the country is consumed locally. India accounts for 65 percent of total cashew nut exports in the world and export cashew to more than 60 countries. The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI) works towards the promotion of cashew nut and cashew nut shell liquid (CSLN).
CASHEW PROCESSING BUSINESS REGISTRATION & LICENSE
In starting a cashew processing unit, you will need to obtain several registrations and licenses from Govt. authorities. These are as follows:
1. Registration of the firm. You can start the business either as proprietorship or partnership firm. In proprietorship, you must register the firm as One Person Company. For partnership operation, you can register as LLP or Pvt. Ltd. company with ROC.
2. Obtain Trade License from Municipal Authority.
3. Apply for VAT Registration
4. Apply for Udyog Aadhaar MSME online registration. This is optional. However, it will help you in getting technology cooperation and subsidy from Govt.
5. ‘Consent to Establish’ and ‘Consent to Operate’ from State Pollution Control Board
6. License from boiler inspector.
7. Apply for ‘Agmark’
8. Appl for online FSSAI registration. The processing units should follow the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) act 2006. FSSAI Act is applicable pan India for all food products. It prescribes minimum standards operating procedures, food safety norms, packaging & labelling norms.
9. You can protect your company brand name, through Trademark Registration
INVESTMENT FOR CASHEW PROCESSING UNIT
Financing to food processing falls under priority sector lending. The loans to units meeting the criteria of MSME are classified under MSME sector. Such units can be financed by any scheduled commercial banks, Regional Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks. It is compulsory to take bank loan to avail various subsidy schemes of government. Ministry of Food Processing Industry, GoI is implementing a centrally sponsored scheme known as National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) jointly with State Governments.
CASHEW PROCESSING MACHINE & UNIT SETUP
A plot of land admeasuring 500 sqm will be sufficient for small scale cashew processing unit. The site should be leveled and with open space for sun drying of raw cashew. One can start cashew processing unit at any location in the country. However, a location should be decided strategically keeping in view availability of ready market and cheap labour. The raw cashew can be transported to processing unit from raw material growing areas. However setting the unit in a cashew growing area will add advantages of readily available backward and forward linkages.
Cashew Production & Processing Technology: Recent Advances
You will need to procure following machinery and equipment for cashew processing unit.
1. Steam Boiler
2. Cooking Vessels
3. Semi Automated Peeling Machine
4. Multi-color Cashew Kernel Sorting Machine
5. Husk Winnowing Machine
6. Steam Pipeline
7. Hot oven
8. Hand Operated Cutting Machine
9. Cashew Peeling Machine
10. cashew filling machine
11. Pieces separator
12. Weighing scale
13. Sealing Machine
14. Food grade plastic tubs, buckets, crates, bowls
15. Diesel Generator Set
CASHEW PROCESSING PROCESS FLOW CHART & RAW MATERIAL
The manufacturing process in well established.
Step 1
Raw cashew nut are dried in sun and stored in gunny bags.
Step 2
The in-shell cashews are steamed under pressure to soften the shell. This causes the cashews inside to become loose and easier to remove in time.
Step 3
Each cashew shell is split open longitudinally and the cashew inside is immediately taken out by hand
Step 4
The kernels after they are removed from the shells have to be dried in an oven at low heat for a few hours to loosen the skin which enables for easy peeling.
Step 5
The cashew kernels obtained are dried in a cabinet dryer. The outer reddish skin known as testa, is removed to obtain cashew nut after drying.
Step 6
Cashewnut is graded on the basis of the colour and on how the kernel is broken. The grading of cashew is done as per Agmark standards.
The only raw material required will be cashew fruits. A moisture proof and air tight packaging is mandatory. You will need to procure the packaging consumable for cashew processing unit.
