Chairperson of the Goa Forest Development Corporation, Deviya Rane, addressed the meeting and thanked partners and government departments for supporting the festival since it began.
She said the event has grown into a fixture on the State’s cultural calendar with the support of stakeholders and participating departments.
Rane said the theme for the upcoming edition is “Honouring a Fruit, Celebrating a Legacy”. The tagline was selected through a social media competition held last year, and the winning entry will be used for the fourth season of the festival.
She said cashew plays a role in the State’s agriculture and supports the livelihood of farmers and others linked to the sector. She added that the fourth edition of the festival aims to expand market links and provide exposure to local producers connected to the cashew industry.
Rane also said efforts are underway to pursue the formation of a Cashew Board to provide policy guidance, market support and long-term support for farmers and stakeholders. Representatives from the Agriculture Department, Food and Drugs Administration, Excise Department, exhibitors, distillers, farmers and artisans attended the meeting.
