11 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Totapuri mango ban by Andhra hits Karnataka farmers hard
Kolar, June 19 (UNI) A trade blockade imposed by the Andhra Pradesh government on Totapuri mango imports from Karnataka has triggered a major crisis for mango growers in Srinivaspur, Kolar district — the mango belt of the state. With the market collapsing at peak harvest time, farmers are now demanding Minimum Support Price (MSP) and state intervention.
Although demand for Totapuri mangoes typically peaks during the June harvest season, this year's market has taken an unprecedented hit. Farmers allege that Andhra Pradesh has restricted the entry of Totapuri mangoes from Karnataka, leaving truckloads of produce stranded at border checkpoints, especially near Chittoor. While trucks from Andhra continue to enter Karnataka, those heading the other way are being turned back or delayed for days.
As a result, mango growers — many of whom depend entirely on seasonal earnings — have been pushed to the brink. They staged a protest this week demanding a government-declared MSP for Totapuri and other mango varieties.
Former Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda visited Srinivaspur and interacted with distressed farmers. He called upon the Karnataka government to hold immediate talks with mango processing units located in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which account for the bulk of mango procurement and processing in South India.
'Due to the lack of cold storage and packaging infrastructure in our state, farmers are facing severe losses. The government must ensure they receive a fair price by facilitating dialogue and cooperation with neighbouring states,' Gowda urged.
He criticised the state administration for failing to act swiftly, saying, 'This issue should have been taken up at the Cabinet level without delay. If the government does not respond immediately, we will be forced to intensify the agitation.'
In Bengaluru, Srinivaspur JDS MLA Venkateshwar Reddy and Mulbagal MLA Sumrudhi Manchina held a symbolic protest near the Gandhi statue at Vidhana Soudha, accusing the state government of turning a blind eye to farmers' plight. They warned that continued inaction would lead to widespread agitation across Kolar and other mango-growing regions.
Meanwhile, market stagnation continues in Srinivaspur. Growers say that even those who have ready stock are unable to sell, while buyers in Andhra and Tamil Nadu are unwilling or unable to pick up consignments due to the border restrictions. Farmers allege that vested interests may be manipulating the situation to their disadvantage.
'This crisis is the direct result of government negligence and anti-farmer policies. Unless the Karnataka government intervenes decisively, the entire season's harvest could go to waste,' a protesting grower said.
As mango trucks line up at the border and frustration mounts, farmers are now demanding not just MSP but a long-term solution to prevent similar crises in future seasons.
UNI BDN PRS
