AICA Cashew Convention
Program Schedule
Day 1 - Friday, August 7, 2026
12:00 noon onwards
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
2:30 am to 3:30 pm
3:30 pm
4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Session-1: Updates from State Cashew Associations
Chair:
Mr Rahul Kamath, President, All India Cashew Association (AICA)
Mr M Ramakrishnan, National Secretary, All India Cashew Association (AICA)
Speakers:
Mr Rohit Zantye, President, Goa Cashew Manufacturers Association (GCMA)
Mr Phani Raghavalu M, President, Andhra Pradesh Cashew Manufacturers Association (APCMA)
Mr A K Rao, President, Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers Association (KCMA)
Mr C.R. Selvamani, Treasurer, Tamil Nadu Cashew Processors and Exporters Association (TNCPEA)
Mr Urmil Raval, President, Gujarat Cashew Processors Association (GCPA)
Mr Anowar Uddin, President, Bengal Cashew Association (BCA)
Mr Pratap Nair, South India Cashew Manufacturers Association (SICMA)
Mr Jagmohan Panda, Advisor, All Odisha Cashew Processors Association (AOCPA)
Mr Hanumant Ram Gandhi, President, North Cashew Processors Welfare Association (NCPWA)
Mr Suresh Bowlekar, President, Maharastra Cashew Manufacturers Association (MCMA)
5:45 pm to 6:00 pm
6:00 pm to 6:15 pm
6:15 pm to 7:30 pm
7:30 pm to 8:00 pm
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Day 2 - Saturday, August 8, 2026
9:00 am onwards
10:00 am to 10:30 am
Presentation-1: Global RCN Scenario in 2026
Mr Abhijit Shinde, Head of Operations for Cashew & Cocoa, ETG
10:30 am to 11:15 am
Session-2: Discussion on Global RCN Markets in 2026
Chair:
Mr Sidharth Gupta, Director, Payal Dealers Pvt Ltd.,
Speakers:
Mr Alex N'Guettia, Chairperson, FIRCA and President, AEC-CI
Mr Rohan Savara, Director, Tropical Industries International Pvt Ltd
Mr Sukesh Aggarwal, Director, UB Aggarwal Group
Mr Abhijit Shinde, Head of Operations for Cashew & Cocoa, ETG
Mr Annant Chhajed, Business Head - Raw Cashew Nut, Valency INTERNATIONAL DMCC
11:15 am to 11:30 am
11:30 am to 12:00 noon
Presentation-2: Global Cashew Kernel Markets in 2026
Mr Gaurav Patil, Global Business Head of Cashews & Macadamia Processing, Olam Food Ingredients (OFI)
12:00 noon to 12:45 pm
Session-3: Discussion on Increasing Demand for Cashew Kernels in India
Chair:
Mr Chetan Shah, Director, Vardhman Cashew and Commodities Pvt Ltd
Speakers:
Mr Vinay Malpani, Director, Mewamitra
Mr Rahul Sharma, Director, DMB Sweets Pvt Ltd
Mr Akshay Joshi, Business Lead - Dryfruits, Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL)
Mr Varun Nevatia, Partner, S V Traders
Mr Raghuveer Sharma, Proprietor, Shri Salasar
12:45 pm to 1:15 pm
Session-4: Working towards Draft AICA Model RCN Contract and AICA Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Centre
Chair:
Mr Prakash Kalbavi, Managing Director, Kalbavi Consumer Foods Pvt Ltd
Speaker:
Prof. CA Lionel Aranha, M/s Lionel Aranha & Co
1:15 pm to 2:30 pm
2:30 pm to 3:00 pm
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Session-5: Interaction with Machinery Manufacturers
Chair:
Mr Sathish Arokiaraj, Managing Director, Regal Farm Industries Pvt Ltd
Speakers:
Mr Ethan Truong, Director, CMV
Mr Vasant Barkade, Director, Delta Cashew Machines
Mr Sasisekar K, Founder & CEO, nanoPix ISS Pvt. Ltd.
Mr GSN Raju, Managing Director, Vagmisun Cashew Integrated Solutions & partner MEYER Colour Sorters
4:00 pm to 4:45 pm
Presentation-3: Need for Generic Promotion and Different Possible Options
Introduction of Speakers by:
Ms Hena Awasthi, Kamakshi Impex
Speakers :
Ms Leelavati Gupte, Founder, Vibrant-India & Co-Chair, Indian Chamber of Commerce, Western Region
Ms Trisha Jain, Head Marketing, Vibrant-India
4:45 pm to 5:30 pm
7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Day 3 - Sunday, August 9, 2026
9:00 am onwards
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Inauguration of Kaju Mahotsav (Cashew Festival)
The cashew festival will have chef’s demo all through the day. Besides, there will be displays of innovative recipes, demonstration session and competition. Festival closes at 6:00 pm
10:00 am to 10:45 am
Presentation-4: AI Use Cases in Cashew Business
CA Pratik Sadrani, Partner, CSPS and Associates
10:45 am to 11:45 am
Session-6: Financing the Cashew Business - Options, Opportunities and Selection Criteria
Chair:
Mr Veeral Desai, Partner, Dryfruit Factory LLP
Speakers:
Mr Hozefa S Jawadwala, Chairman, Managing Director & C.E.O, Aelea Commodities Limited
Mr Mohit Jangir, Founder & Director, InVed
Mr Paras Desai, CEO & Whole Director, Span Divergent Ltd, Management Consultant, Span Consultech
11:45 pm to 12:00 noon
Vote of Thanks
Mr Urmil Raval, Chairman, AICA Cashew Convention 2026
