Kerala Farmer Aniyamma Baby Develops Innovative Way To Protect Cashew Gardens

A major innovation has been brought up by a Kerala farmer Aniyamma Baby. He has come up with an innovative practice called the “Cashew Multiple Rooting Propagation Method” that aims to protect cashew gardens from borer attacks and cyclonic storms. Stem and root borer is one of the most damaging pests for cashew crops. It can destroy even matured trees.

Aniyamma Baby has developed the method to generate multiple roots in a grown-up cashew tree, thus improving production per unit area. She has been using this method in her old cashew plantations for the last seven years to support her family with a continual supply of high cashew produce.

It has been found to be unique and provides anchorage against wind damage or cyclonic storms, and restores cashew trees from a severe attack of cashew stem-and-root borers in a very eco-friendly and cost-effective way. The National Innovation Foundation, an autonomous organization, has taken up Baby’s innovative technique for support and incubation activities. The Directorate of Cashew Research (Puttur) and Kerala Agriculture University studied and approved the technique last year.