Cashew nut processing
There are around 30,000 small-scale cashew processors in Sri Lanka. They are the most disadvantaged group in the industry and since 1989 Practical Action has been working with these processors to develop new technologies to improve their efficiency and the quality of the cashews they produce.
Extracting cashew nuts from their tough outer shells is a laborious and dangerous job - the outer shell contains a burning ‘milk‘. The traditional way of extracting them has been by cracking them by hand, with a hammer and punch, wearing protective gloves.
Practical Action has recently been working with local manufacturers to develop a machine that can shell the nuts without damaging them.
Practical Action already helps cashew producers to prepare and dry nuts efficient by training processors in suitable drying technology that helps reduce wastage, maximises produce and increases the shelf life of the products.
