The Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) is all set to enter youngsters’s well being drink sector with the launch of Children’s Vita, a cashew-based complement catering to the dietary wants of kids. Developed by a group of specialists, the protein-rich powder helps enhance the diet consumption of kids, say officers.

“It is our latest value-added product. At present, discussions are on with the departments concerned so that it can be distributed as part of the government’s supplementary nutrition programme in anganwadis and schools,” KSCDC chairman S. Jayamohan tells The Hindu.

The company already has Cashew Vita, “a low-fat cholesterol-free health drink”, however its newest product is customised for youngsters as much as the age of 10. “We have submitted the project to the government. The product was tested in five different labs under the government,” he provides.

Mr. Jayamohan claims {that a} related venture carried out in Kollam a couple of years in the past might efficiently forestall malnutrition in youngsters and expectant moms from tribal communities. “We had included cashew in the kits distributed to pregnant women and continued it for three years after delivery. We could bring down infant mortality rate in tribal settlements, making Kollam a district with zero deaths due to child or maternal malnutrition,” he says.

While the company has a string of value-added merchandise, Children’s Vita is anticipated to offer the trade a significant increase. “Since the cashew sector has been facing a serious crisis, consistent demand and bulk orders are crucial for the industry to stay afloat,” says Mr. Jayamohan.

Recently, government-run factories underneath the KSCDC and the Kerala State Cashew Workers Apex Industrial Cooperative Society (Capex) had offered round 87 lakh sachets to be included within the Onam kits.

“Apart from offering a quality supplement, the project will strengthen the domestic market. At present, most people opt for low-quality cashew as mechanised processing has become common. Our factories can produce 2.5 lakh kg of cashew in 10 days, and such innovative projects will help the industry survive,” he provides.