CPI(M) urges Chief Minister to intervene in the mango farmers' crisis in Chittoor
In a letter to the Chief Minister on Monday, CPI(M) State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao highlighted the severe distress being faced by farmers cultivating the Totapuri variety of mangoes, which is widely grown in about one lakh acres across the undivided Chittoor district.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao noted that although favourable weather this season led to a good harvest, the surge in mango production has prompted mango pulp industry owners to form a syndicate and cap the procurement price at just ₹2–3 per kg, thereby exploiting farmers.
The CPI(M) leader urged the State government to intervene directly through its marketing agencies and purchase mangoes to safeguard farmers from exploitation. He also demanded the creation of a special task force to ensure the promised support price is implemented without delay.
The government had earlier assured the mango farmers a price of ₹12 per kg — ₹4 to be provided as a subsidy by the State, and the remaining ₹8 from pulp industry owners. 'This commitment remains unfulfilled,' he said, adding, 'In practice, pulp factories are refusing to pay anything beyond ₹4 per kg, leaving farmers devastated.'
Citing Karnataka's example, where the State successfully convinced the Central government to procure 2.5 lakh tonnes of mangoes under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) at ₹16 per kg.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao appealed to the Chief Minister to use his good offices in New Delhi to secure a similar deal for Andhra Pradesh. He called on the State to mobilise at least ₹500 crore in Central assistance and ensure that the subsidy reaches farmers directly instead of being routed through industry players.
'The government must act decisively to break the cartel and protect the interests of farmers who have suffered for four consecutive years,' he added.
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