📄 Abstract
Although the cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale L.) industry in the Indian subcontinent dates back to importations during the 16^(th) century, it is facing a problem in terms of yield potential because of the aged plantations and low-yielding saplings. The present study intends to evaluate the performance of superior cashew hybrids in major agro-climates in a bid to identify the correct species that need to be grown. A multi-criteria performance analysis (MCPA) using the cluster statistical test Karl Pearson correlation is employed by collecting data on All India Coordinated Research Project on Cashew (AICRP-Cashew), the performance of the Directorate of Cashew Nut & Cocoa Development (DCCD), the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), etc. The analysis revealed that Amrutha (H-1597) was the best variety for industrial purposes with a performance score of 0.799, due to its high yield (18.36 kg/tree) and high shelling percentage (31.58%). On the other hand, Akshaya was revealed to be a unique jumbo nut variety for high export purposes (W180 grade) under moderate negative correlation (r = -0.58) between nut weight and total yield. Vengurla-4 was revealed to be an all-rounder variety with high total yield (17.2 kg), high shelling percentage (31%), and red apple. The conclusion of the study is that to close the gap in national productivity, there should be a strategic focus on high-density planting (HDP) and also on promoting high-shelling varieties like Amrutha. In addition, replacing senile plantations with new hybrid varieties to realize the national productivity target and improve national self-sufficiency should also be pursued with the help of research institutions.
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📚 How to Cite:
Sowmya H K, Dr. Pallavi S. Kusugal , PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKING OF ELITE HYBRID CASHEW VARIETIES IN INDIA: A MULTI-CRITERIA EVALUATION AND CLUSTER ANALYSIS APPROACH , Volume 14 , Issue 2, February 2026, EPRA International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Economic Research (ARER) , DOI: https://doi.org/10.36713/epra25974