AP CM Urges Centre To Support Totapuri Mango Farmers Through PDPS

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has formally requested the central government to provide immediate fiscal intervention to assist Totapuri mango farmers across the state. This plea comes in response to a concerning drop in market prices and significant hurdles currently affecting the export of mango pulp. The request, addressed to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, emphasizes the need for an urgent rollout of the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) under existing market intervention protocols.

The Chief Minister is seeking a financial allocation of Rs 281 crore to shield local agriculturalists from the severe economic fallout of the present season. Andhra Pradesh holds a dominant position in the national landscape for this specific fruit, managing extensive cultivation across 3.99 lakh hectares. With an annual production volume reaching 52.65 lakh metric tonnes, the state's agricultural economy is heavily reliant on the stability of these crop cycles.

Addressing Economic Distress in Totapuri Mango Cultivation

The Totapuri mango is a vital commercial asset for the region, specifically in the Rayalaseema districts of Chittoor, Tirupati, Annamayya, and YSR Kadapa. Nearly 91,011 hectares are dedicated to this variety, yielding approximately 8.65 lakh metric tonnes. This cultivation supports the livelihoods of countless farming families who are currently grappling with financial instability due to a sharp decline in returns.

According to N. Chandrababu Naidu, global market fluctuations have created a difficult environment for mango pulp exports, forcing domestic processing industries to reduce their procurement levels. This reduction in demand, coupled with rising costs of production, has resulted in a steep price crash that threatens the economic viability of the current harvest. To combat this, the state administration has launched a targeted market intervention program aiming to procure 7.03 lakh metric tonnes of the fruit.

As part of this protective initiative, the state plans to provide an incentive of Rs 4 per kg above the current market rates to support farmers. The request to the central government highlights that the successful implementation of the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme for the procurement window spanning from June to August will be essential. By obtaining this central financial backing, the state hopes to restore market equilibrium and provide a necessary safety net for the thousands of farmers currently facing financial distress during this challenging agricultural cycle.