Cashew growers in Gandharvakottai and Athanakottai urged the government to set up a processing unit in the region. | Photo credit: M. MOORTHY
Cashew cultivation in Pudukottai district, once a thriving agricultural activity, is on the decline, with farmers struggling to cope with shrinking profit margins and declining production.
Regions like Gandharvakottai and Adhanakottai together account for nearly 5,000 acres of cashew cultivation in the district. However, a major setback came in the wake of Cyclone Gaja in 2018, which destroyed large stretches of cashew plantations. Since cashew trees take five to six years to bear fruit and can remain productive for more than 30 years, the loss had long-term consequences. Many farmers are still trying to recover.
Published – 16 Apr 2026 18:27 IST
