Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)

Description

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L. ) was introduced from Brazil to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese in the 16th century. It is found that more than half of the cashew extent is confined to the dry zone of the country.
Cashew is cultivated in almost all the districts in the country. However, the extents are substantial in the dry zone areas, especially in the districts of Puttalam, Mannar, Vavuniya, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticoloa, Polonnaruwa, Moneragala and Hambantota. The total extent of cashew in these districts is around 20,000 ha whereas in the rest of the districts, the extent is estimated to be around 2,400 ha.