Cashew farming in Pudukottai district, once a thriving agricultural activity, is witnessing a downturn, with farmers struggling to cope with shrinking profit margins and declining production.

Regions such as Gandharvakottai and Adhanakottai together account for nearly 5,000 acres of cashew cultivation in the district. However, a major setback came in the aftermath of Cyclone Gaja in 2018, which destroyed vast stretches of cashew plantations. Since cashew trees take five to six years to begin yielding and can remain productive for over 30 years, the loss has had long-term consequences. Many farmers are still struggling to recover.