Tanager, a non-profit firm, today inaugurated a cashew apple value addition unit (CAVA Unit) under Gangavaram Agriculture & Allied Producers Mutually Aided Cooperative Society (GA & APMACSL) monitored by Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) at Gangaram Mandal of East Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. The initiative is part of Tanager’s ongoing Andhra Pradesh Farmer Market Readiness Program II (APFMRP II) supported by Walmart.
To mark the commencement of the unit, the product brand ‘Sip-on’- Healthy & tasty drink with incredible cashew apple comprising of two products Cashew Apple Soda and Cashew Apple Syrup under the brand name were also launched. This initiative has been implemented to increase the product range of the Gangavaram FPO thereby improving income levels of the 1,595 cashew farmers associated with the FPO and generate local employment. The CAVA Unit comprises of 9 machines and employs three locals. In the beginning, the farmer producer organisation (FPO) plans to tap the local markets for their product reach and then move out to nearby cities.
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Talking about this initiative, Amit Kumar Singh, Country Representative, Tanager said that, “It gives me immense pleasure to be part of this initiative, as the CAVA Unit will help the tribal farmers of the area to generate more income and improve their livelihoods. It will further open doors for the Gangavaram FPO to add a wider range of products to their portfolio.”
Cashew apple has a high nutrition value comprising of protein, carbohydrates and vitamin C. Due to lack of knowledge and suitable amenities, farmers used to throw these fruits away after separating the cashew from it. However, Tanager has identified the importance of this fruit and trained the local farmers to collect fruits and bring them to the processing unit for extracting juice so that they are able to earn better profits.
Would you’ll consider selling the cashew apple once harvested in bulk quantities
Thank you