Agriculture – Centre Urged to Support Andhra Mango Growers Amid Sharp Price Decline
Agriculture – Thousands of Totapuri mango growers in Andhra Pradesh could receive financial relief after Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu appealed to the Central government for assistance to address the steep fall in mango prices during the current harvesting season.
State Seeks Financial Backing for Farmer Relief
In a letter addressed to Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Chief Minister requested Central assistance of Rs 281 crore under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) through the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS). The proposed support would help procure nearly 7.03 lakh metric tonnes of Totapuri mangoes and reduce the financial burden on farmers affected by falling market prices.
According to Naidu, the unexpected decline in Totapuri mango prices has been largely driven by disruptions in mango pulp exports following international developments. With processing industries reducing their purchases, growers across the state have struggled to secure fair returns for their produce, creating significant financial pressure during the harvest season.
Mango Farmers Face Mounting Challenges
The Chief Minister highlighted that cultivation expenses have continued to rise while market prices have moved in the opposite direction, leaving many farming families under economic stress. He said timely intervention from the Central government would help protect growers from substantial losses and ensure that they receive reasonable compensation for their produce.
Naidu stressed that the livelihood of thousands of farmers depends on Totapuri mango cultivation, making immediate financial support essential for sustaining rural incomes in major producing districts.
Andhra Pradesh’s Significant Contribution to Mango Production
Andhra Pradesh remains India’s largest mango-producing state, with mango orchards covering approximately 3.99 lakh hectares and generating an annual production of around 52.65 lakh metric tonnes. Totapuri mangoes represent a major share of this output and are cultivated across nearly 91,011 hectares in the Rayalaseema region, including the districts of Chittoor, Tirupati, Annamayya and Kadapa.
The annual production of Totapuri mangoes from these districts is estimated at about 8.65 lakh metric tonnes. The crop serves as an important source of income for a large number of farming households, making price stability a critical concern during every harvest season.
Procurement Plan Under Market Intervention Scheme
To reduce the impact of the ongoing price slump, the Andhra Pradesh government has already initiated procurement of 7.03 lakh metric tonnes of Totapuri mangoes under the Market Intervention Scheme. Along with procurement, the state has decided to provide farmers with an additional incentive of Rs 4 per kilogram through the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme.
The Chief Minister has requested the Union government to approve and support the implementation of the scheme for the June-August 2026 procurement season. He stated that Central participation would help ensure remunerative prices for growers while preventing further financial distress across the state’s mango-producing regions.