Deve Gowda writes to PM seeking procurement of mangoes by NAFED to bail out Karnataka growers
In separate, but similarly worded, letters dated June 22, Mr. Gowda brought the plight of mango growers to the knowledge of both Mr. Modi and Mr. Chouhan and said that mango was one of the major horticultural crops in Karnataka, cultivated over an area of 1.39 lakh hectares, particularly in Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban, Chickballapur, Kolar, and Bengaluru South (formerly Ramanagara) districts, with an estimated production of eight lakh to 10 lakh tonnes during the rabi season.
However, due to weather vagaries and diseases, the mango yield has dropped to less than 30% this year, he pointed out.
'From May to June this year, heavy arrivals caused unsustainable price fluctuations. Prices fell from ₹12,000 per quintal to ₹3,000 per quintal, while the cultivation cost itself is ₹5,466 per quintal. This has financially stressed farmers, with many small and marginal mango growers unable to cover basic costs, leading to protests,' Mr. Gowda said.
He expressed concern that Andhra Pradesh's ban on Totapuri mango varieties entering Chittoor district, adjacent to Karnataka, has disrupted the supply chain and resulted in a risk of post-harvest losses for Karnataka's border area mango growers. This has created tension among the mango growers, leading to protests in many districts, especially in Kolar and Chickballapur, he pointed out.
The Chief Minister of Karnataka and the Chief Secretary have asked Andhra Pradesh to revoke this ban immediately. Additionally, the State government has requested the Centre to start procurement through Central agencies such as NAFED and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd. to aid farmers and alleviate rural distress, he noted.
'I request the Central government to instruct NAFED to procure mangoes under the PDP and MIS. This will support farmers by ensuring fair prices through direct purchases from farmers and through farmer producer organisations (FPOs),' he said.
'I trust that the Central government will promptly take appropriate actions to support Karnataka's mango growers by providing adequate financial benefits under various schemes,' he said.
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