Panaji, July 18 (UNI) Goa BJP MLA Deviya Rane has demanded that the government should allow the export of cashew Feni, a step which can boost the cultivation and bring cashew apples into use.Divya Rane, MLA from Poriem constituency in North Goa, speaking at the state Legislative Assembly session on Wednesday, said that the product has demand in foreign countries. Feni, a drink commonly and socially consumed by the local residents of the coastal state, was notified as the state heritage drink by the Goa government in 2016.
Cashew Feni is also the country’s first indigenous liquor to obtain the Geographical Indication tag, a process which was initiated by local manufacturers of the brew in 2009. “Goan Feni is GI-tagged, but we can’t sell it outside our state. There is no permission It can’t be sold in national and international markets,” She said. She further said that though our cash crop is cashew, cashew apples are wasted. “Almost 80 percent of cashew apples are thrown out as only cashew nuts are used,” Rane said.“If we get permission to sell it in other states and internationally as well, as it has wide scope and demand, it will help to in- crease production.
