Konkan Ratnagiri Cashew Coconut Cooperative Maharashtra

Ratnagiri district of the Konkan coast in Maharashtra is the production heartland of the GI-certified Alphonso mango, but also maintains a rich coastal agricultural economy of cashew nut cultivation, coconut processing, and coastal fishing supported by village cooperative societies. Konkan cashew fenny — the distilled spirit from cashew apple juice — is produced by small-scale cooperative distilleries in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg under Maharashtra Konkan cooperative liquor licence. Cashew nut shelling at home-based cooperative units employs women from fishing families during the November-March lean fishing season. Coconut tree climbing for toddy and coconut harvest sustains cooperative Madhura Kallu toddy tappers societies across the Konkan coast. The Ratnagiri APMC supports direct cooperative marketing of Alphonso mango to export buyers. Kokum Garcinia indica the souring fruit used in Konkani cuisine is also harvested by forest fringe cooperative societies and processed into kokum syrup and juice for urban health food markets.