Panaji: A jumbo-sized cashew nut from a plantation in Carambolim is set to grab countrywide attention for being the second biggest among nut varieties across India and easily fits the international grade.Relishing a dozen pieces of this tasty and crunchy 10gm nut, locally called "botto" for its large size, is akin to eating a small meal, and a few of its big cashew apples are enough to make a glassful of juice, say agricultural scientists.Indian council of agricultural research (ICAR) Goa complex has recently released this nut variety along with two more branded as Goa 2 (Carambolim), Goa 3 (Ganjem) and Goa 4 (Quepem) for commercial purpose. Goa 1 (Bali — 2) was released in 2004.The four selections together offer a choice of better-sized and high-yielding planting materials for local cashew farmers."The characteristics of the Carambolim nut and yield pattern of the Carambolim tree and that of two others were monitored for three years. Further, grafts prepared from the mother trees were tested for 12-14 years on our farm," senior ICAR scientist A R Desai said.In the last three decades, cashew researchers from various Indian institutes have released 55 varieties, including 33 direct selections and 22 hybrid varieties and the prized Carambolim botto, weighing 9.8-10gm per seed, is second only to the 10.5gm Indira cashew nut variety from Raipur, Chhattisgarh.Goa's biggest cashew nut also fits the premium grade of W-180, as a pound (450 grams) comprises 180 whole kernels.The bigger nut is expensive and is the elite consumer's choice. "It is not easily sold, as the pricing science is based on nut size, which benefits farmers. But, farmers need to be supplied with more saplings to increase yield," Desai said.Availability of more jumbo-sized cashew nuts for processing at the local level will help create a market and demand at the international level for the premium grade kernel.Goa 2 yields moderately, 8 to 10kg per tree per annum for its bigger size. But the other two, Goa 3 and 4 have their own assets — a higher yield of 15 to 18kg per tree per annum though their nut size is below 8gm."Some farmers prefer high yielding varieties whereas others want bigger nuts as per market demand. In these four varieties, we can meet all types of requirements," director ICAR Eknath B Chakurkar said.Goan cashew nuts have a higher market demand for their tasty quality. Local farmers tend to gather fully ripened fruits after they drop to the ground. "This means their growth is complete and the tree drops the naturally ripened fruit," Desai said.

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