Kerala budget trims cashew funds to 56cr from 96cr
India
Kerala's latest budget is making waves by cutting cashew sector funding from ₹96 crore to ₹56 crore, even as it introduces a revival package to reopen closed factories.
The government says its one-time settlement scheme, developed with banks, will help, but many in the industry aren't convinced.
Funding cut threatens rural cashew livelihoods
Industry experts and union leaders say this funding cut could mean fewer factory workdays, putting thousands of rural families at risk.
Former Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation chairperson S Jayamohan called out the budget for neglecting traditional industries like cashew and coir, and was especially disappointed that there were no fresh plans to boost local cashew farming, a move many hoped would secure the sector's future.