Centre to share load with Andhra govt in DBT scheme to help Totapuri mango farmers
The move is aimed at benefiting farmers facing difficulties in getting better prices for their produce due to 'market fluctuations' across three districts—Chittoor, Tirupati, and Annamayya districts—where production of Totapuri mango in the current season is estimated to be about 6.5 lakh metric tonnes.
As per the order issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, the Centre will provide financial support to the Andhra Pradesh government to intervene in the market. The Centre has fixed the Market Intervention Price (MIP) of Totapuri mango at Rs 1,490.73 per quintal. If the selling price of Totapuri mango is below this level, then both the Centre and the state will pay up to Rs 372.68 per quintal (25 per cent of Rs 1,490.73 per quintal).
The difference of payment between selling price and the MIP will be paid to farmers through Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) and the Centre and state will share the cost in the ratio of 50:50. However, the support will be restricted to one-fourth (1.62 lakh metric tonnes) of the total estimated production of 6.5 lakh metric tonnes.
A Committee will decide the daily selling price of Totapuri mango constituted under the chairmanship of principal secretary (agriculture/horticulture/cooperation) of the Andhra government, as per the order. The implementation period of the PIP under the MIS of Totapuri Mango in Andhra Pradesh for the 2025-26 season will be 30 days from the date of the first transaction after the order is issued.
Welcoming the Centre's move, Minister of State for Rural Development, Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said, 'This landmark intervention will shield farmers from price crashes, offer fair and assured returns, and bring direct financial relief to thousands of growers across the state—at a time when market uncertainties often threaten rural livelihoods.'
The agriculture ministry's move came days after CM Naidu wrote to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan seeking Rs 2 per kg support from the Centre for Totapuri mango farmers.
'Due to market fluctuations and distress among mango farmers, the State Government has taken a proactive measure and announced an additional support price of Rs. 4/- per kg (Gol share: Rs. 2/- + GoAP share: Rs. 2/-) to safeguard the interest of Totapuri mango growers and requested the traders and processors to pay Rs. 8/- per kg, ensuring an effective procurement price of Rs. 12/- per kg to the farmers,' Naidu wrote to Shivraj on June 23.
He requested the Center to sanction and release an amount of Rs 130 crore towards additional support price at Rs 2 per kg for the procurement of Totapuri mangoes, contributing to the total support price of Rs 260 crore, as the state government is committed to bear another Rs 130 crore for this initiative.
'This intervention from the Central Government will go a long way in alleviating the distress of Totapuri mango growing farmers and ensuring price stability,' he wrote.
Later, on July 8, Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu met Chouhan in New Delhi, seeking a resolution to the problems faced by farmers in the state.
Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
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