State-level cashew fair at Kadri Park on May 17–18; farmers to benefit from workshops, free stalls and market access

State-level cashew fair at Kadri Park on May 17–18; farmers to benefit from workshops, free stalls and market access

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 16, 2026: A two-day state-level “Cashew Fair” will be held at Kadri Park in Mangaluru on May 17 and 18 under the aegis of the Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation, said Corporation Chairperson Mamatha D.S. Gatti during a press conference held at her office.

The fair will be inaugurated on Sunday, May 17, at 11 a.m. by Speaker U.T. Khader Fareed. Health and Family Welfare and Dakshina Kannada District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao will attend as the chief guest. Karnataka Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre will formally inaugurate the event, while Mangaluru South MLA D. Vedavyas Kamath will preside over the programme. MP Captain Brijesh Chowta, Rajya Sabha member D. Veerendra Heggade, and members of the Cashew Fair Corporation Board will also participate as chief guests, Mamatha said.

Technical workshops on cashew cultivation will be conducted on both May 17 and 18. Principal Scientist Dr G. Dinakar Ullal and Senior Scientist Dr Veena G.L. from the Directorate of Cashew Research (DCR), Puttur, will provide information on modern technologies, cashew processing, and value addition. Progressive farmer Subhash Rai will share his personal experiences in cashew farming.

On the second day, May 18, former KCMD Chairman Prakash Kalbavi will present a session on the theme of the state-level Cashew Fair. Former Director of the Directorate of Cashew and Cocoa, Hubballi, Dr Venkatesh N. Hubballi, and Dr C. Sunil, Coordinator at the University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, will brief farmers about various schemes and nursery accreditation. Progressive farmers who have made notable achievements in cashew cultivation will also be felicitated during the event, Mamatha Gatti added.

The fair will have free entry for the public and farmers. More than 70 free stalls will be set up to provide direct market access for farmers’ products. Speech and painting competitions for students and rangoli competitions for women have also been organised. Free cashew fruit juice will be distributed to visitors attending the event, she said.