Mangaluru: The second-day of the Diamond Jubilee of the Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers’ Association (KCMA), KAJU Summit was held at the TMA Pai International Convention Centre here, on March 15.
The programme began with an invocation. President of the KCMA, Bola Rahul Kamath welcomed the gathering. The chairman of the diamond jubilee committee, Walter D’Souza, delivered the keynote address.
The second-day programme was inaugurated by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel. Addressing the gathering, Nalin Kumar said that the cashew industry has played a vital role in the economy. “The dream of our prime minister Modi is ‘Make in India, Made in India and Skill in India’.” He further said, “When MRPL and SEZ came to Mangaluru, members of the KCCI called me for discussion and asked me why I am against these industries. I am not against any industry but the cashew and the tiles industries play a vital role in creating employment for the people. In the district, the highest job creating business is the Cashew and tiles because a unskilled labour and a skilled labour both have been employed.”
“MRPL has occupied 1000 acres of land but they have not provided employment to the locals. We hardly find a few people from Karnataka there. But in one acre of land, the cashew industry has employed more people.” He also said that the association should bring awareness among the farmers to cultivate more cashew crops.
Nalin also assured to discuss with the ministers in the centre and invited the KCMA delegation to Delhi for the total development of the cashew industry and to retain cashew cultivation. He also said that a special agriculture zone should be made in the district. Giving assurance, Nalin said that the Kasturi Rangan report will not affect the cashew growers and the state, the central government will take measures to safeguard the cashew plantations. He congratulated the organizers and wished them success in their future endeavours.
Chairman CEPCI Kollam T K S H Musaliar launched the KCMA Mobile App on the occasion. MLC Ivan D’Souza released the Cashew policy and spoke on the occasion.
To mark the diamond jubilee 60,000 cashew saplings will be distributed. The first sapling was handed over to Bojaraj Shetty by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel on the occasion. Magician Ganesh Kudroli of India’s Got Talent fame presented a magic show on the occasion. KCCI president Nigam Vasani, Sujatha Karunakarana and others were also present.
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