Contribution to rural livelihood development in Kehelbaddara cashew processing industry

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.