Karnataka's Totapuri Mango Growers In A Squeeze As Andhra Pradesh Ban Cuts Off Key Markets
This year's super bumper crop has worsened the situation, as units still have a backlog from the last two years, resulting in a pile-up
In Karnataka's orchards, Totapuri mango growers are facing a crisis—Their prized mangoes might be reduced to pulp before even reaching the processing units in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The fears of these farmers were confirmed when Karnataka's Chief Secretary, Shalini Rajnish, wrote to her Andhra Pradesh counterpart, arguing that the ban imposed by the Chittoor district's Collector should not prevent farmers from Karnataka from accessing these crucial markets.
'This sudden and unilateral decision has caused significant distress among Karnataka's mango farmers, particularly those in border districts. They grow large volumes of Totapuri mangoes and rely heavily on Chittoor-based processing units," Rajnish wrote. 'This disruption in interstate trade threatens their livelihoods and may result in substantial post-harvest losses."
She further warned that such a move could undermine cooperative federalism and might lead to retaliatory actions, such as obstructing vegetable inflows from Andhra Pradesh, escalating interstate tensions—a scenario she urged to avoid.
Rajnish requested immediate intervention from her counterpart, K. Vijayanand, to revoke the ban. However, Chittoor Collector Sumeet Kumar defended the decision, asserting that it was necessary to protect the interests of Andhra Pradesh's mango growers. Kumar explained to News18 that Chittoor had a bumper crop this year, causing market prices to plummet. Allowing mangoes from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu would further depress prices, harming local farmers.
Kumar noted that a team from Karnataka's Kolar district was already in Chittoor to assess the situation, and Andhra Pradesh had asked Karnataka for detailed mango production data. The aim, he said, was not to stop trade but to ensure Andhra Pradesh farmers did not suffer losses. With the mango season ending, the Andhra Pradesh government expects a surge in produce hitting processing centres.
Speaking to News18, Vijayanand acknowledged receiving the letter and stated that they would monitor the situation and decide on the next steps soon.
Around three lakh tonnes of Totapuri mangoes are sent annually from Karnataka to pulp processing units in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. This year, processing units in both states are offering only Rs 4 per kilogram for Totapuri mangoes, which is inadequate, according to Nalathur Chinnappa Reddy, president of the Kolar Mango Producers Association. 'Andhra Pradesh has set a minimum support price of Rs 8 per kilogram, subsidised by the government to Rs 4 per kilogram. Our harvest season has just begun, and we need to sell our produce within the next month," he said.
Processing units in southern India are primarily based in Chittoor and Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu. This year's super bumper crop has worsened the situation, as units still have a backlog from the last two years. Low yields in previous years forced units to pay higher prices, resulting in a pile-up due to low offtake by multinational companies and exports.
In response, the Kolar Mango Growers Association has called for a bandh in Srinivasapura on Wednesday, protesting the Karnataka government's failure to open more processing units within the state. Currently, Karnataka has a few units in Kolar, Hoskote, and Tumakuru.
First Published:
June 11, 2025, 11:03 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
19 minutes ago
- The Hindu
World Day against Child Labour observed in Chittoor district
As part of the campaign held against child labour, the Chittoor-based NGO Rural Education and Liberty (REAL) on Thursday announced that its volunteers, in collaboration with Just Rights for Children (JRC), rescued as many as 40 children from exploitative labour across the district in the last one year. The REAL and JRC functionaries were taking part in the World Day Against Child Labour celebrations, here on Thursday. REAL director S. Rama Rao called on the Central and State governments to come up with proper funding and free education for up to 18 years, as the 'right deterrents against child labour issues,' and the creation of a dedicated rehabilitation fund for rescued children. He highlighted the growing efforts in combating child labour and stressed the importance and urgent need for strict enforcement, victim rehabilitation, and zero tolerance against child labour. JRC convenor Ravi Kant, meanwhile, said that India's commitment to International Labour Organisation Convention 182 held great importance. He said that the NGO had so far rescued over 85,000 children and initiated legal proceedings in more than 54,000 cases in two years across the country. The twin agencies said they had organised awareness campaigns across Chittoor, with undertakings from the community to eliminate child labour and usher in the right to education and dignity.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Scheme sanction limit of mukhiyas up
Patna: CM Nitish Kumar on Thursday made several key announcements for representatives of the three-tier panchayati raj system, including a 1.5-fold increase in their monthly allowances. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He also declared that mukhiyas of gram panchayats would now be able to approve administrative works up to Rs 10 lakh under MGNREGA, up from the previous limit of Rs 5 lakh. The announcements were made during a meeting with gram panchayat, panchayat samiti and zila parishad representatives at the CM Secretariat here. Nitish also said that the construction of panchayat sarkar bhawans would be completed in all panchayats before the upcoming assembly elections. According to an official statement, the CM made six major decisions. These included an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to be given in case of normal deaths of panchayat representatives during their tenure. Earlier, this amount was only provided in cases of accidental deaths. In addition, panchayat representatives suffering from illness will be eligible for health assistance through the Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Fund. The CM also asked district officials to process applications for arms licences submitted by panchayat representatives within the stipulated time frame, in accordance with rules. "We have set a target to complete the panchayat sarkar bhawans in all gram panchayats before the elections," the CM said. "For this, the state govt has also approved the remaining 1,069 new panchayat sarkar bhawans. Orders are being issued to transfer the construction responsibility to the respective gram panchayats. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now If land is not available in the headquarters village, it can be acquired from a nearby village. I hope you will select the land soon and begin the work so that construction is completed ahead of schedule," the statement added. To enhance the utilisation of funds from the 15th Finance Commission and State Finance Commission, departmental schemes of up to Rs 15 lakh can now be implemented directly. Addressing the PRI representatives, Nitish said, "It is a matter of great happiness that this meeting has been organised. I was informed about your demands by the chief secretary and departmental officials. The panchayati raj department is taking action on most of them in line with the rules. Many of your demands have been fulfilled today." The CM also recalled the introduction of 50% reservation for women in the panchayati raj system in 2006 and in municipal bodies in 2007. "A large number of women are now leading society as elected representatives. We have worked for the development of all sections. We continue to engage with the representatives," he said.
Indian Express
42 minutes ago
- Indian Express
SIS, GIPE trades charges again as they fight over funds, bank account
The strained relations between the Servants of India Society (SIS) and its institute Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) is once again out in the open with both the bodies trading charges of wrongdoing against each other. While addressing the media in Pune on Thursday, Vishal Gaikwad, officiating deputy registrar of GIPE accused the SIS of freezing the bank accounts of the institute. On his part Damodar Sahoo, chairman of SIS, claimed that GPIE had unilaterally converted the jointly held bank account of the institute to a single-operated one which had prompted SIS to write the bank. Gaikwad said, as per University Grants Commission (UGC) norms, the sponsoring society does not have rights over the bank accounts of the institute. 'We learnt from the banks that our accounts were frozen. We managed to get them unfrozen but this is a gross violation of rules,' he claimed. Gaikwad said they have written to the Deccan Police to include the name of Sahoo in the ongoing case of allegedly fraudulently transferring Rs 1.42 crores from GIPE for the use of SIS. 'We have also written to the charity commissioner asking for the present board of SIS to be dismissed and appointment of a neural observer in its place,' he said. Relations between SIS and GIPE have soured since the last year with both the bodies trading charges against each other. GIPEs chancellor Sanjeev Sanyal had made serious allegations against Sahoo and others of misappropriating funds. Sanyal was swiftly removed from his position by Sahoo but was reinstated. Milind Deshmukh, the secretary of the SIS was arrested by the Deccan Police for his role in the multi-crore corruption scandal that had rocked the institute. Deshmukh was later removed from his position and is out on bail now. Sahoo on his part claimed that GIPE had unilaterally deviated from the convention of jointly operated accounts which had prompted the SIS to write to the bank. 'The GPIE had not intimated of the conversion of the account to single operated,' he said. Asked about the formation of an advisory committee which Gaikwad had termed as illegal, Sahoo said the committee was for better coordination between both the bodies.
