Farmers distressed as trade syndicates push down mango prices in Tirupati
23 Jun 2024 5:36 PM GMT
Farmers distressed as trade syndicates push down mango prices
TIRUPATI: Mango farmers of Chittoor and Tirupati districts are struggling to secure fair prices for their produce despite district collectors intervening and fixing a minimum support price of ₹30,000 per tonne for the Totapuri variety.
However, traders from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, who initially offered a price of ₹28,000 per tonne, have formed a syndicate with pulp industries and have drastically pushed down the prices, Srinivas Reddy, a local farmer has stated.
Such price manipulation has left many farmers in dire financial straits. Most of them had invested heavily in their orchards, predominantly growing the Totapuri variety. They expected reasonable returns. But the crop yield fell significantly, with many farmers harvesting only 10–20 of their usual crop.
Responding to this distress of mango farmers, Chittoor and Tirupati district collectors held meetings with horticulture and marketing officials, Thereafter, they fixed a minimum price at ₹30,000 per tonne for Totapuri mangoes. But pulp industries and traders have ignored this directive.
Lakshmi Devi, another affected farmer, believes the official price is fair. "₹30,000 per tonne is reasonable, considering our costs for labour, fertilisers, and transport. Even ₹28,000 would be acceptable. But prices going lower has put us in severe financial trouble," she said.
Further, deceptive practices have complicated the situation. Farmers allege that some traders are paying only ₹20,000 per tonne for Totapuri variety. They are ten deducting an additional 12 per cent towards various expenses.
"These traders have set up big collection centres and are deceiving farmers, as horticulture or marketing departments are not intervening," charged Ramesh Kumar, a concerned grower.
Recent heavy rainfall in the district has raised fears of potential crop damage and outbreak of disease, further complicating the situation for farmers.
Such price manipulation has left many farmers in dire financial straits. Most of them had invested heavily in their orchards, predominantly growing the Totapuri variety. They expected reasonable returns. But the crop yield fell significantly, with many farmers harvesting only 10–20 of their usual crop.
Responding to this distress of mango farmers, Chittoor and Tirupati district collectors held meetings with horticulture and marketing officials, Thereafter, they fixed a minimum price at ₹30,000 per tonne for Totapuri mangoes. But pulp industries and traders have ignored this directive.
Lakshmi Devi, another affected farmer, believes the official price is fair. "₹30,000 per tonne is reasonable, considering our costs for labour, fertilisers, and transport. Even ₹28,000 would be acceptable. But prices going lower has put us in severe financial trouble," she said.
Further, deceptive practices have complicated the situation. Farmers allege that some traders are paying only ₹20,000 per tonne for Totapuri variety. They are ten deducting an additional 12 per cent towards various expenses.
"These traders have set up big collection centres and are deceiving farmers, as horticulture or marketing departments are not intervening," charged Ramesh Kumar, a concerned grower.
Recent heavy rainfall in the district has raised fears of potential crop damage and outbreak of disease, further complicating the situation for farmers.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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