An ex-post facto research study was initiated by NRCC, Puttur during 2004-05 to assess the socio-economic impact of cashew cultivation in Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, with the aim of suggesting implicative strategies to improve the cashew cultivation scenario. The respondents of the study included two categories viz, farmers with gardens of seedling origin (FSG) and farmers with gardens of graft origin (FGG). In Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, each 30 FSG and FGG respondents were selected through multi-stage random sampling procedure, whereas in Andhra Pradesh each 60 FSG and FGG respondents were selected through accidental followed by snowball sampling technique. The knowledge, adoption level and technology gap of majority FSG and FGG were medium in nature in all four states. The average adoption gap of all the respondents was 54%, whereas it was 57, 60, 65 and 35% in Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, respectively. Damage due to major cashew pests was the first ranked constraint and training need in all four states. State-wise opportunities and threats for cashew development were assessed and an action model depicting implicative strategies for cashew production scenario was suggested

Keyword: Action model; Adoption an