In the heart of Andhra Pradesh’s Rayalaseema region, mango farmers—particularly in Chittoor district—are facing a financial crisis, as pulp-processing companies refuse to pay the mandated minimum procurement price of ₹8 per kilogram. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently urged pulp manufacturers to support mango growers, but on the ground, the situation remains grim.
Chittoor, with a mango-growing tradition that spans over 2,000 years, is a key producer of Totapuri and Banganapalli varieties—especially Totapuri, widely used in pulp production and export. With cultivation spread across 70,000 hectares and involving over 75,000 farmers, the region is heavily dependent on the mango trade. However, exports have taken a hit due to international conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war, reducing overseas demand and prompting companies to cut down procurement.
To protect farmers, the state announced a ₹4-per-kilo subsidy, ensuring a total of ₹12 per kilogram. Yet, farmers allege that companies are flouting this directive, offering as little as ₹2.5 to ₹4 per kilo. Despite government subsidies on land, water, and electricity to these companies, many are ignoring pricing norms, says K Sankaran of the All India Kisan Sabha.
A visit to Sungold Processed Foods revealed the stark reality—truckloads of mangoes rotting due to delays and low demand. Of the 30–35 pulp units in the region, only 20–25 are functioning, with some halting operations altogether. Many farmers, like Lokesh and B Babu, are now questioning whether they can afford to continue cultivating mangoes at all.
Without stronger enforcement and coordination, the region’s famed mango economy risks withering.