In a bid to make Goa self sufficient in raw cashew nut production in the next 5-10 years, the Goa Forest Development Corporation (GFDC) has stressed on giving a boost to cashew cultivation across the State. The Corporation has felt the need to expand the area under cashew cultivation for this purpose, and also to promote cashew and its by-products on a larger scale. GFDC chairman Deviya Rane on Wednesday held a meeting with the Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) chairman Ganesh Gaonkar proposing the organising of a full-fledged State level cashew festival to promote cashew and its related products, including feni. GFDC intends to make this as annual affair in association with the Tourism Department. Speaking to mediapersons post meeting, Khaunte said GFDC has proposed to hold the Cashew Festival in April-May next year. “The festival will focus on making the public understand the fruit pattern, usage pattern, utility pattern and its uniqueness,†he said. Khaunte said that the Tourism Department will work along with GFDC to ensure that ‘we showcase the product world-wide’. “We will include the festival in our tourism calendar,†he said. Rane raised concern over the fact that Goa has to import cashew nuts from countries like Africa to meet its growing demand. She also said that Maharashtra and Kerala are far ahead in cashew cultivation and processing. “It is important that we take steps to make Goa self sufficient in cashew production. Goa, which is known for cashew nuts, imports the product. Efforts are on to ensure that farmers get a boost in cashew cultivation thus helping in doubling their income,†she said. GFDC has already started to refurbish their cashew farms and additional samplings are also cultivated. Rane said that the festival will also be an opportunity to further promote Feni, which has already received the GI tag.