Cost of establishment of a cashew apple processing unit and production cost of cashew apple syrup

摘要

Information required for establishing a cashew apple processing unit with a processing capacity of half a tonne per day is presented in this paper. The infrastructure requirement of a cashew apple processing unit and the technology for the production of cashew apple syrup are presented. The economics of the production of cashew apple syrup are also discussed. Cashew (Anacaridum ocddentale L.) is one of the most important commercial crop of our country. Cashew nut is the primary product from this tree. The second major produce is its apple, which is nutritionally very rich. A huge amount of cashew apple is being produced annually and almost the entire quantity is wasted at present. InIndia, the annual production of cashew apple is estimated to be between 40 and 45 lakh tonnes. Cashew apple is very rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains 0.099 percent vitamin B_2, 0.24 percent vitamin C, 0.041 percent calcium, 0.011 percent phosphorous and 0.003 percent iron (Ohler 1988). Attempts are meager, excepting in Goa, to utilize cashew apple although technologies are available to convert it into a number of value added products. Cashew apple syrup is a very valuable product from the cashew apple. A pilot plant is established at the cashew Research Station Madakkathara, Thrissur, Kerala in 1997, for the production of cashew apple syrup. Like other food products, license is necessary under the Fruit Product Order 1955 of the Government of India, for the commercial production and sale of this product. The data presented here is based on the experience gained in the pilot plant established at Madakkathara.