Totapuri mangoes prices crash, farmers’ distress in Chittoor
Despite the Centre and State government giving assurances to protect mango farmers from steep price crash, pulp processing units across the combined Chittoor district continue
Despite the Centre and State government giving assurances to protect mango farmers from steep price crash, pulp processing units across the combined Chittoor district continue to procure Totapuri mangoes for less than ₹6 per kg, leaving farmers in distress, alleged Kothur Babu, president of the Chittoor District Mango Producers Association. Speaking to the media here on Thursday, Mr. Kothur described the prevailing prices as “unremunerative”.
He said: “Mango farmers have yet to benefit from the government’s intervention even as the harvesting season has entered its final phase.” He urged the State government to ensure that the Price Deficiency Payment (PDP) scheme is implemented without delay so that farmers receive the promised compensation. The remarks of the mango growers’ forum leader come in the wake of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare approving Andhra Pradesh’s proposal to implement the Price Deficiency Payment (PDP) under the Market Intervention Scheme for Totapuri mango during the 2026-27 marketing season.
Kothur said that the sanction provides coverage for 2.16 lakh metric tonnes, or 25% of the estimated production of 8.65 lakh metric tonnes, with the Market Intervention Price fixed at ₹1,747 per quintal. The Centre has also capped the price differential payment at 25% of the intervention price, with losses
to be shared equally between the Centre and the State. The order mandates that eligible farmers sell their produce in notified APMC mandis, with payments to be made through Aadhaar-enabled Direct Benefit Transfer, and asks the State government to monitor daily arrivals and prices and submit reimbursement claims, he added.
The BriefWire