Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed the constitution of a high-level expert committee under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to examine the challenges being faced by Totapuri mango growers in Andhra Pradesh. The decision follows the Union Minister’s recent visit to Andhra Pradesh, during which farmers informed the Minister that prices of the Totapuri mango variety, which is cultivated extensively for the processing industry, have declined significantly in recent months.

Mr Chouhan said that safeguarding the income and livelihoods of Totapuri mango growers is a priority for the Government. He stated that appropriate measures would be taken on the basis of the committee’s recommendations to provide sustainable support to mango growers, strengthen the value chain and create new opportunities for value addition, exports, investment and employment in the sector.

The farmers highlighted that the sustained fall in prices has adversely affected their incomes and created considerable financial stress among mango-producing farmers in the state.

The committee will examine the current status of Totapuri mango cultivation, production costs, farmers’ incomes, processing capacity and utilisation, demand-supply dynamics, and the factors responsible for the recent decline in prices in domestic as well as export markets. It will also assess the challenges affecting different stages of the value chain and identify opportunities for improving efficiency, competitiveness and market access. Based on field observations, stakeholder consultations and scientific analysis, the committee will prepare a detailed assessment of the factors contributing to the decline in prices to facilitate evidence-based policy interventions.