Sattva has an established history of over 10 years in Cashew Processing and marketing of cashew kernels with focus on the local institutional sales segment. The market trend in Europe, USA and other major markets showed the strong emergence of organic cashew as a sizeable segment at a premium price. Besides, the cashew importers, super markets and the consumers in these countries demanded assured food safety. In 2005 Sattva Agro Expo Pvt. Ltd. was formed to address the new opportunities in the export cashew market, viz., organic cashew processed with Food Safety certification (HACCP), perhaps the first of its kind venture in Tamil Nadu (TN). The Govt. of India had granted approval to Govt. of TN to establish a Cashew Agri Export Zone (AEZ) in its state and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), a Govt. of Tamil Nadu enterprise, was entrusted with the task of locating a private entrepreneur. Sattva’s proposal was accepted by the Govt.and TIDCO chipped-in with a minor equity investment. The project covers the five contiguous cashew producing districts of Cuddalore, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Sivaganga that are endowed with the right agro climatic and soil conditions. A model cashew demonstration farm has been planned to train the farmers in best practices. A gradual but definite change from conventional to organic farming will be effected among its contract farmers and sustainable development practices followed. Several Self Help Groups (SHG) of the small farmers have been formed to enable contract farming and formation of Export Production Villages (EPV) for this purpose. Sattva is in an advanced stage of establishing a Rs. 16.54 Crores (USD 3.4 Million) modern cashew processing and packaging facility in a 25,000 sq. mtr. factory site, at Kattandikuppam Village amidst lush green cashew farms, located about 12 kms. from Panruti, near Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu – about 3 hrs. drive from Chennai. Trial production is underway and trial exports have been made. On completion of the 3 phases, the project will have a capacity to produce around 2400 Tonnes/annum of Cashew Kernels by adopting Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The highlight of the project will be production of international quality cashew kernels, assuring food safety of the product, export worthy packing using carbon-di-oxide gas, usage of solar drying and improved processing techniques. A training centre to educate workers on cashew processing techniques, personal hygiene and sanitation, etc. has been established. We take hygiene and sanitation very seriously. Sattva proposes to establish facilities for production of by-products such as Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL), a stream of exportable derivative chemicals from CNSL and bio-fuel briquettes from cashew husk and shell. Sattva takes pride in this project that generates employment in the backward region and in contributing to the upliftment of the socially downtrodden. The cashew farmers form an important part of the supply chain and in their well-being lays our success.