| 00:00 | 00:38 | To propagate the cashew tree, the farmer first needs to prepare the soil by loosening it and making it suitable for the seedling. Farmers must choose seeds from healthy and mature cashew trees which should be of good quality, free from any diseases or deformities, and have a high germination rate. |
| 00:39 | 01:23 | The seeds are soaked in water for about 24 hours which helps soften the hard seed coat allowing water and nutrients to penetrate and stimulate germination. The seeds are then placed in a warm and moist environment for germination; once they have germinated and developed into seedlings with visible roots and shoots they are carefully transplanted into individual pots filled with a well-prepared soil mixture. |
| 01:24 | 02:14 | After transplanting, the seedlings need regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist but not saturated. As the seedlings grow, they need protection from extreme weather conditions, pests and diseases. |
| 02:15 | 02:52 | The grafting process takes place when the cashew trees start flowering and are actively growing. The first step involves preparing the root stalk by ensuring proper pruning and selecting the right variety to be grafted onto it. |
| 02:53 | 03:36 | Next the selected cyan which is the shoot or bud of the desired cashew variety is carefully cut to fit precisely into the prepared root stalk. The cyan is firmly attached to the root stalk using grafting tape or rubber bands to secure the connection and promote successful healing, allowing the cyan and root stalk to fuse together effectively transferring nutrients and water between the two parts. |
| 03:37 | 04:14 | Adequate watering is crucial to help the cyan establish roots and begin growing as a new plant. Once the grafted tree has grown enough and its branches have fully developed it can be transplanted to its permanent location in the cashew orchard |
| 04:15 | 05:30 | The first step in preparing the land for cashew cultivation is clearing wild growth including forest cover and weeds to ensure that the cashew plants have sufficient space and resources to grow without competition. Pruning is crucial for managing the canopy and avoiding overlapping of branches which could lead to reduced sunlight exposure and hinder flowering and fruiting. |
| 05:31 | 06:17 | An integrated approach to manuring and fertilizer application is essential for soil fertility and sustainable cashew production. A combination of inorganic and organic fertilizers is recommended for optimal plant growth and development. |
| 06:18 | 07:25 | The two major pests that can significantly impact cashew production are the tea mosquito bug (TMB) and cashew stem and root borer (CSRB). In addition to these major pests minor pests like leaf miners, leaf beetles, apple and nut borers can also affect cashew production. |
| 07:26 | 08:19 | Integrated Pest Management (IPM) involves using natural enemies, cultural practices, and targeted pesticide applications to minimize pest damage while reducing the impact on the environment and beneficial organisms. One of the emerging applications in agriculture 4.0 is the use of UAVs for crop protection. |
| 08:20 | 09:02 | Harvesters carefully pick the ripe cashew apples from the trees and separate them from the cashew nuts which are still encased in their hard outer shells. This initial separation is often done manually as the cashew nut is highly toxic before proper processing. |
| 09:03 | 09:37 | After the separation, the cashew nuts are left to dry in the sun for a few days, reducing the moisture content and ensuring longer storage life. The first step in cashew processing is grating the raw cashew nuts according to their sizes and quality. |
| 09:38 | 10:22 | Next is the automatic cooking system that utilizes steam or hot air to evenly cook the nuts eliminating any harmful substances and preparing them for further processing. Once the cashew nuts are properly cooked they move on to the fully automated shelling system that shells the nuts efficiently and with minimal wastage. |
| 10:23 | 11:53 | The scooping and kernel separation system then segregates the
kernels from the shells with high accuracy optimizing the yield and
maintaining the integrity of the cashew kernels. Traditional cashew processing methods involve numerous labor-intensive tasks making the process time consuming and prone to human errors, but with the advent of ultra modern fully automatic cashew processing systems the industry has undergone a revolutionary transformation. |
| 11:54 | 13:24 | The automatic drying system employs controlled temperature and humidity levels to gently dry the kernels removing any excess moisture. Following the drying process the cashew kernels may undergo the automatic humidification system that regulates the moisture content of the kernels ensuring they reach the ideal level for further processing or packing. |
| 13:25 | 14:55 | In the next stage the cashew kernels undergo peeling where the thin outer skin or Testa is removed using mechanical methods such as air pressure or friction to gently peel the kernels without causing any damage. The automation ensures a high peeling efficiency, reduces product loss, and enhances overall product hygiene. |
| 14:56 | 15:53 | After peeling, the cashew kernels are graded and sorted based on their size and color using advanced image processing and artificial intelligence to categorize the kernels accurately. This process ensures that only high quality kernels meeting specific criteria are selected for further processing or packaging. |
| 15:54 | 16:43 | The state-of-the-art color and size sorting machines play a vital role in the final quality of the cashew kernels by utilizing high resolution cameras and advanced algorithms to detect even the slightest variations in color or size. The sorted kernels are then separated into different bins based on predetermined criteria enabling the production of various grades of cashews. |
| 16:44 | 18:08 | The fully automated packing line is the last step before the cashews are ready for market distribution and it involves a series of robotic systems and conveyor belts that fill, seal, and label the cashew pouches or containers automatically. The packing line ensures hygienic packaging, reduces human intervention, and enhances the overall efficiency of the packaging process, value added products, in addition to selling whole cashew kernels. |
| 18:09 | 18:49 | A metal rejection system is integrated into the processing line. This system employs metal detectors and advanced sensors to identify and remove any metal contaminants that may have found their way into the cashew kernels during processing. |
| 18:50 | 20:11 | The pouch forming system then takes flat sheets of packaging material and shapes them into pouches or bags to contain the cashews. The automation in this step ensures precise and consistent pouch formation minimizing packaging waste and ensuring the highest standard of presentation. |
| 20:12 | 20:50 | Next, the vertical vacuum machine seals the pouches or containers ensuring airtight packaging to preserve the cashew's freshness and quality. The fully automated process enhances productivity and reduces the risk of contamination during packaging. |
| 20:51 | 21:51 | Cashews are delicious nuts that originate from Brazil and are now grown in many tropical regions worldwide with India, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast being some of the top producers. Cashews are notably rich in heart healthy monounsaturated fats which can help lower bad cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease, they also contain antioxidants like vitamin E which protect the body from oxidative stress and promote skin health. |
| 21:52 | 23:04 | India is the largest producer contributing around 700,000 metric tons annually followed closely by Vietnam with approximately 400,000 metric tons. The United States, the European Union and China are among the largest consumers of cashew nuts. |
| 23:05 | 24:03 | The cashew industry is a significant source of employment especially in developing countries where cashew production is a major economic activity. Cashews offer a plethora of nutritional benefits making them a valuable addition to a balanced diet. |
