Chittoor MP asks officials to reach out to distressed mango farmers
The delay in procurement of the Totapuri variety by the pulp units coupled with the abysmal drop in the prices has left the mango farmers of Chittoor and Tirupati districts in dire straits this year. While mangoes are grown in about 2.8 lakh acres in the two districts, the Totapuri variety is grown in close to 90% of the total extent. While farmers received between Rs 18,000-30,000 per ton for this variety last year, the price has dropped to Rs 4,000 a ton.
Under such circumstances, farmers would be staring at huge losses if govt doesn't turn up to their rescue.
"Chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has directed the officials to immediately engage with the owners of the pulp units across the two districts and prompt them to initiate procurement measures as the season itself is drawing to an end", MP Prasad Rao asserted.
"The State had fixed an MSP of Rs12,000 per ton for the Totapuri variety of mangoes, and collectors of Chittoor and Tirupati districts have been instructed to ensure that the farmers suffered no losses at all," he asserted.
Moreover, he assured that various enforcement measures, to prevent the illegitimate sale of mangoes at the interstate borders, will also be taken up in the interest of the farmers.
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