Daijiworld News Network –Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Apr 19: The Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers’ Association will organize Kaju Fest at Kantirava Indoor Stadium, Bangalore with an intention of promoting domestic use of cashew.

This was revealed by president of the association Kalbavi Prakash Rao on Tuesday, April 18 here.

The inauguration of the All India Buyer-Seller Meet and valedictory of golden jubilee of the association will be held at Hotel Atrai Palace Road, Bangalore on Saturday, April 22.

The goal of the association which is celebrating its golden jubilee year is to increase the raw cashew production of the state from existing 40,000 metric tones to 1.50 lac metric tones and to make the state, the Cashew State of India by 2015.

The Kaju Fest will be open to the public for four days from April 21 to April 24 wherein generic promotion for cashew will be done. The event will showcase the cashew industries of our State and highlight the importance of this industry in rural development, employment and foreign potential available in this industry, the nutritional benefits by consumption, exhibition of various variety of cashew manufactured and use of cashew food.

The unique feature of the event is contest to demonstrate culinary skills in preparing the most delicious and visually appealing dishes using cashew nuts. Under the title Swad Kaju Ka, the contest is open under three categories viz. Home Maker (Women), The Super Chef (All chefs working in restaurants in Bangalore) and the Rookie Cooks (students of hotel management courses).

Over 30,000 Bangaloreans are expected to visit the festival.

Chairman, Cashew Export Promotion Council of India Walter D’Souza and former president of the association Giridhar Prabhu were also present at the press meet.