Mangaluru: This year, 2015, is the Diamond Jubilee year of the Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers’ Association.
Back in 1955, a mere seven cashew processors, all based in this city, founded The Mangalore Cashew Manufacturers’ Association (MCMA). At the stage of its Diamond Jubilee, this vibrant association has managed to spread its wings far and wide, through the length and breadth of the state of Karnataka with over 100 cashew processors and had to be renamed as ‘Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers Association’.
Today, there are over 400 cashew processors in 9 districts of Karnataka. The growth story of this highly labour-intensive industry was facilitated by KCMA by creating awareness about its potential, hand-holding the start-ups and mentoring them on their journey to success.
In its Diamond Jubilee year, the KCMA has over 250 members in different categorie, namely, processors, importers, exporters and service providers. Collectively, this industry has given direct employment to over 50,000 people.
About 95% of them are women belonging to the weaker sections of the society. The industry has also provided indirect employment to over 1,25,000 people and the numbers are growing……..
In terms of volumes of business, this industry has grown from an aggregate of Rs 50 crore to over Rs 2,000 crore per annum during the last 3 decades.
As for export earnings to the national exchequer, the industry has registered a quantum jump from about Rs.30 crore to over Rs 800 crore per annum in 3
Hence the KCMA takes legitimate pride in its unparalleled achievements and sets the tone for yet another era of exponential growth and takes the industry to its next level by raising the bar on all parameters. Hence this unique celebration of sparkling sixty years of meaningful and result-oriented existence.
To achieve its objectives, the KCMA has chalked out a number of projects and programmes during its Diamond Jubilee year. To kickstart the celebrations, a launching ceremony will be held in the TMA Pai International Convention Centre in Kodialguttu west in the city on March 14 and 15, where the Association seeks to:
- showcase its strength
- unveil its vision for the coming 15 years
- involve every section of the public in all the activities
- focus the attention of the Union and state governments and decision-makers about the immense potential of the industry.
- empower the growers of raw cashewnuts.
- arrest the colossal waste of the cashew apple and make the raw cashewnut production much more remunerative for the farmers
- evolve a sustainable mechanism by which the farmers are assured of a minimum guaranteed price for their produce.
- create more awareness about the health and nutritional benefits of cashews.
The Diamond Jubilee celebrations will start with a National Convention on cashews and a machinery exhibition at 9.30am on Saturday, March 14, 2015. Experts from all over India will present technical papers on various aspects of the industry, namely, production, processing, promotion, marketing, automation etc. The admission on this day will be restricted to the mediapersons, cashew processors, industry partners, service providers and special invitees.
The grand ceremony of the launching of the Diamond Jubilee year will start at 11.00 am on Sunday, March15, with a curtain-raiser, where KCMA will unfold all its plans and projects during the Diamond Jubilee year.
From 4.00 pm, the celebrations will be thrown open to the general public with the inauguration of the Cashew Festival which will have various competitions for children, home-makers and the students of the colleges in the district.
The Recipe Competition for home-makers and the Hotel management colleges will attract over 200 participants in different categories. Public will walk through the evolution of the industry and will understand how this industry has grown in the last 6 decades.
Also all varieties of cashews and other products will be made available to public at an attractive diamond jubilee discount. The visitors will be treated with a variety fare of entertainment, fun, games and the like for all to enjoy. It will be an evening to remember for years to come.
The Diamond Jubilee celebrations committee is as follows:
Honorary Chairman: B Ramanath Kamath
Chairman: Walter D’Souza
Secretary: K Pramod Kamath
Conveners:
Programme: Murlidhar V Prabhu, Kumta
Projects: K Sudhakar Kamath, Jalsoor and Kiran Kumar Kodgi, Amasebail
Finance: D Gopalakrishna Kamath, Siddapur
Promotion: Kalbavi Prakash Rao
Souvenir: G Giridhar Prabhu
KCMA office-bearers:
President: Bola Rahul Kamath, Karkala
Vice president: Krishnanath P Mallar
Treasurer: Santosh D’Silva
Secretary: Tukaram Prabhu
Jt secretary: D Gopinath Kamath
Event highlights:
Saturday, March 14:
9-30 am: Kaju Tech – an innovation in a nutshell – an industrial exhibition will be inaugurated by MLA J R Lobo as chief guest.
10-00 am: Kaju Summit – Celebrating sixty sparkling years – the national convention on the evolution and future of cashew industry in India will be inaugurated by state minister for health and family welfare U T Khader.
A special address will be delivered by R Pratap Nair, Indian ambassador to the International Nut Council, the highest body on nut-food in the world.
The admission to the technical session throughout the day will be restricted to the media, registered delegates and special invitees.
Sunday, March 15, 11-00 am:
Inauguration of the Diamond Jubilee year by Union minister of railways D V Sadananda Gowda, with state minister of forest, ecology and environment B Ramanatha Rai as chief guest, DK Lok Sabha member Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLC Ivan D’Souza, T K S H Musaliar, chairman CEPCI Kollam and KCCI president Nigam Vasani as guests of honour.
4-30 pm onwards
Kaju Fest, a cashew gala with a difference, where the joys of cashew presented in a unique manner can be tasted, learnt and experienced.
- Swad Kaju Ka, where Mangaluru’s master chefs and talented home-cooks will literally dish out kaju delicacies in an exciting recipe competition.
- Ad wiz, a quirky Mad Ad competition presenting kaju in a nutty way
- Illusions, where magician Ganesh Kudroli of India’s Got Talent fame will pull out of his hat tricks and acts which will simply wow you
- Tulunadu Triumphs, with Yakshagana, Pilivesha and lots of local flavour
- Food Court, lip-smacking local cuisine to wh
