BJP seeks support for distressed mango farmers in Rayalaseema
Andhra Pradesh BJP president P. V. N. Madhav has urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to intervene immediately to support mango farmers facing a severe
Andhra Pradesh BJP president P. V. N. Madhav has urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to intervene immediately to support mango farmers facing a severe crisis in the Rayalaseema region, particularly in Chittoor district. In a letter to the Chief Minister, Mr. Madhav said mango cultivation covers nearly 2.5 lakh acres in Chittoor district, with the Totapuri variety accounting for about 70% of the acreage.
Farmers spend between ₹35,000 and ₹45,000 per acre on cultivation, but are currently getting less than ₹4 a kg for their produce, resulting in heavy losses, he said. The BJP leader said the sharp fall in prices had pushed thousands of mango-growing families into financial distress and warned that the situation could worsen if immediate corrective measures were not taken.
Madhav urged the State government to step in and ensure that mango pulp units and processing industries offer remunerative prices to farmers. He also sought an examination of the feasibility of introducing a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for mangoes and measures to improve returns to growers through the pulp-processing sector. Calling for a comprehensive strategy to address the problems faced by mango farmers, he urged the government to provide immediate relief and treat the issue as a priority.
He expressed hope that the State government would respond positively and announce relief measures at the earliest to safeguard the interests of mango growers across the region.
The BriefWire