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News18
a day ago
- Business
- News18
Mango Wars: Karnataka Calls For Federalism, Andhra Pradesh Asks It To Work For Farmers
Last Updated: The conflict intensified after Siddaramaiah penned a letter to his Andhra counterpart, urging the withdrawal of a ban on the entry of Karnataka-grown Totapuri mangoes into Chittoor A simmering dispute over the trade of Totapuri mangoes has erupted between neighbours Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, with accusations of protectionism and calls for federalism dominating the discourse. The conflict intensified after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah penned a letter to his Andhra Pradesh counterpart, urging the withdrawal of a ban on the entry of Karnataka-grown Totapuri mangoes into Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district. Siddaramaiah's letter highlighted the 'considerable hardship" being faced by Karnataka's mango farmers due to the alleged ban. Karnataka argues that such restrictions impede the free movement of agricultural produce and disregard the principles of federalism. Andhra Pradesh Hits Back Andhra Pradesh, however, has swiftly retaliated, asserting that its actions are aimed at safeguarding its own mango farmers from a potential market collapse. Sources within the Andhra Pradesh government contend that Karnataka has failed to announce a crucial support price for its farmers, making their mangoes significantly cheaper. 'Karnataka's price is quite low, around Rs 5 per kilogram," an Andhra Pradesh government source stated. 'If we allow Karnataka mangoes to enter, processors would naturally prefer to buy from them, which would cause a major crisis for our own farmers and could even lead to significant law and order issues." Recognising the challenge of low prices and anticipated high supplies, the Andhra Pradesh government has further agreed to supplement this price by an additional Rs 4 per kilogram. This ensures a reasonable farmer realisation of Rs 12 per kilogram. The state has ambitious plans to procure 5.5 lakh tonnes of mangoes this year, earmarking Rs 220 crore for this price augmentation initiative. 'Karnataka hasn't announced any price for their farmers and should do so to ensure minimum viability for their farmers," an Andhra Pradesh government source reiterated. Farmers Protest Adding to the complexity, mango farmers in Karnataka's Srinivaspur region staged a 10-hour 'bandh' (strike) on Wednesday, demanding a support price of Rs 15 per kilogram for their produce. The bandh, called by the Mango Growers' Association and other farmer organisations, saw protesters gather on Chintamani Road on the outskirts of Srinivaspur town. Following two rounds of talks with the deputy commissioner, and assurances that district in-charge minister Byrathi Suresh would address their concerns, the protesters curtailed their bandh. Narayana Gowda, a mango farmer from Srinivaspura, voiced his frustration: 'The district administration and the [Andhra Pradesh] government have put a condition that at any cost you shouldn't buy mango from Srinivaspura market, and if they do, they won't be given minimum support price. In a democracy, you can sell any vegetable and fruit anywhere. I don't know why the Andhra Pradesh government has said this." First Published: June 13, 2025, 17:15 IST
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Erratic weather drives up vegetable costs
Vegetable prices The combined effect of unexpected rainfall and scorching summer heat has wreaked havoc on vegetable crops across Karnataka, resulting in a sharp spike in prices by up to Rs 40 per kilogram in the past week. The surge has left customers reluctant to make purchases, particularly affecting the city's lower and middle-income of commonly consumed vegetables such as beans, peas, knol-khol, cauliflower, lemon, and cucumber have seen significant increases. Additionally, the season for avarekai (hyacinth beans) has come to an end, pushing its price further upward. Coming at a time when coconut prices are already on the rise, this latest hike is a double blow to Bengaluru's common volume of vegetables arriving at major markets like Kalasipalya and Dasanapura has dropped. Heavy rainfall over the past week has led to spoilage of crops in the fields. Wholesale prices calculated per quintal have also gone up, cascading down to retail outlets at KR Market, Gandhi Bazaar, Malleswaram, and Yeshwanthpur, where vegetables are now being sold at steep said that due to the overcast conditions and irregular rain, many vegetables have failed to mature properly. As a result, crops such as green chilies, ridge gourd, bitter gourd, and cluster beans have witnessed a dip in yield. Hyacinth beans have been replaced in the market by alternative crops, which are being sold at a whopping Rs 300 to Rs 350 per kg. Even leafy vegetables such as fenugreek, amaranth and spinach are rotting due to excessive moisture, severely affecting supply and increasing market prices have also surged unexpectedly, with retail rates reaching Rs 100 per kg, up from Rs 28 just days ago. Onions are another major casualty; the recent rains have led to widespread spoilage. Farmers are rushing whatever stock they have to market. At the Yeshwanthpur Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), Karnataka-grown onions are fetching up to Rs 1,400 per quintal, while Maharashtra's onions are selling for Rs 1,800. Retail onion prices hover between Rs 35 and Rs 40 per kg, with lower-grade onions and tomatoes selling for Rs 100 for a 5 kg surged sharply, with beans now retailing at Rs 80 to Rs 90 per kg, tomatoes at Rs 20, knol-khol at Rs 46, and green chilies and bitter gourd both at Rs 60. White brinjal is priced at Rs 36, purple brinjal at Rs 28, cluster beans at Rs 64, and double beans range between Rs 115 and Rs 175. Cabbage is available at Rs 22, while drumsticks are being sold at Rs 80. Among leafy greens, methi leaves are priced at Rs 85 and spinach (palak) at Rs 44 per kg.
