Abstract:
Cashew can be described as an agro crop with high demand and prices and
market value both locally and overseas. Cashew is a minor export crop and is
widely cultivated in the Puttalam, Mannar, Hambanthota, Vavuniya,
Anuradhapuraya, Polonnaruwa, Monaragala, Gampaha and Kurunegala in
districts commonly cultivated. There are about 70,000 families in the cashew
industry. The cashew production contributes in the Gampaha District 70 % to
in the cashew processing industry. The main objective of this study is to
investigate how the cashew processing industry has contributed to the
improvement of the quality of life of the rural community. The cashew
processing industry is functioning in Udugampola, Minuwangoda,
Nedagamuwa, Madelgamuwa, Uggalboda, Batapotha, Makewita, Walpola,
Kaluwelgoda and Thammita areas within the Minuwangoda Divisional
Secretariat. The Kehelbaddara Grama Niladhari Division has been used as the
study area. In data and information were obtained through questionnaires and
interviews with a sample of 50 groups in the cashew processing industry in
the Grama Niladhari Division. The information obtained was analyzed
quantitatively and qualitatively. In rural livelihood development, the cashew
processing industry can identify the major economic activity in these families.
Women labor contributes much more to the process of cashew processing.
Investment, technical know-how required for proper livelihood development
in rural livelihood development through the cashew processing industry
should be more effectively and efficiently intervened at the public and private
level to promote the quality of capital resources, products and to encourage
the people involved.
