YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) is urging swift government action to help Totapuri mango growers in Andhra Pradesh . Prices are falling,costs are rising — farmers face tough times . M.V.S. Nagi Reddy,general secretary,highlighted the dire situation Tuesday.
Farmers in mangoes,chickpeas,maize,tobacco hit hard by dropping market prices,soaring input costs. Andhra Pradesh grows mangoes on about 3.99 lakh hectares,with nearly 53 lakh tonnes expected this year . But bad weather,fungal diseases have slashed production,especially in Chittoor,Tirupati,Annamayya districts.
Nagi Reddy noted Totapuri mango growers struggle with lower yields,weak demand from pulp industries. Many can't even cover cultivation costs due to poor procurement prices—₹5-₹6 per kg,despite government promising ₹12 per kg last year . He slammed pulp factories for paying only ₹5-₹6 instead of the promised ₹8 per kg.
Concerns rise over reported drop in mango acreage as farmers think of abandoning orchards. With cultivation expenses soaring,current prices can't sustain operations . Nagi Reddy demands minimum price of ₹16-₹17 per kg,urges immediate government aid . He also called for high-level committee to suggest relief measures to protect mango growers' livelihoods…
