Photo: BSS

Rangamati, May 11, 2026 (BSS) - Agricultural scientists at the Raikhali Hill Agricultural Research Center in Kaptai upazila of Rangamati, well-known as a beacon for farmers in the hilly areas, have achieved success in cashew cultivation.

Cashew nuts have been cultivated across an area of ??2 acres of the research center.

On visiting the research center this Monday (May 11) morning, it was seen that rows of cashew trees had borne fruit. Wherever the eye looked, cashew nuts were in abundance. The horizon was covered with green fields of cashew nuts.

In this regard, Dr. Muhammad Ziaur Rahman, Chief Scientific Officer of the Raikhali Hill Agricultural Research Center, told BSS that in 2019, cashew germplasm was collected from Vietnam, India, Cambodia and various upazilas of Bandarban district and planted on 2 acres of land at the Raikhali Pahari Agricultural Research Center.

The first fruit was harvested in 2022, 3 years after planting. Currently, the trees are 7 years old and each cashew tree is bearing more fruits than before.

He also said that cashew occupies the first place among the nut crops in the world. Each tree yields 20 to 30 kg of fruits. Each fruit weighs an average of 30 to 60 grams. In addition, each cashew nut weighs 5 to 10 grams.

Cashews contain significant amounts of protein, fat, calcium, vitamin B and vitamin C. It contains large amounts of magnesium, manganese, polyphenoles and carotenoids, which increase the body's resistance to disease and brain power. 

It helps in reducing bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol. The role of cashew nuts in controlling blood pressure and diabetes is immense.

Scientists at the Raikhali Hill Agricultural Research Center said that there are about 5 lakh hectares of uncultivated land in the hilly regions of Bangladesh. If cashew nuts can be cultivated on 1 lakh hectares of this land, then it is possible to produce 1 lakh tons of cashew nuts. If good quality cashew nuts can be produced in the country, not only will foreign exchange be saved, but it will also be possible to earn a lot of foreign exchange by exporting cashew nuts.

 Employment of many people involved in this industry will increase and especially women will be able to become self-reliant. 

Government initiatives are now needed to expand the potential of cashew nut cultivation in the hills, scientists observed.