Centre Forms High-Level ICAR Committee to Address Falling Totapuri Mango Prices in Andhra Pradesh.
New Delhi:
The Central Government has initiated a comprehensive action plan to address the sharp decline in Totapuri mango prices in Andhra Pradesh by constituting a high-level expert committee under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The move aims to safeguard the incomes of mango growers and develop long-term strategies to strengthen the entire Totapuri mango value chain.
The decision was announced by Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, following his recent visit to Andhra Pradesh where he interacted directly with Totapuri mango farmers. During the discussions, growers expressed concern over the steep fall in prices of the Totapuri variety, which is primarily cultivated for the processing industry. Farmers said the prolonged decline in prices has significantly reduced their earnings and increased financial stress across major mango-growing regions.
Taking immediate cognisance of the issue, the Minister directed ICAR to constitute an expert committee comprising scientists and representatives from key horticultural institutions. The panel has been tasked with carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the Totapuri mango sector, covering cultivation, processing, marketing, domestic trade and exports. It will also recommend measures to improve farmers’ returns and ensure the sustainable growth of the sector.
According to an office order issued by the ICAR–Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow, the committee will be chaired by Dr. T. Damodaran, Director of ICAR-CISH. Other members include Dr. M. Shankaran, Head of the Fruit Crops Division at the ICAR–Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru; Dr. H.S. Singh, Principal Scientist at ICAR-CISH, Lucknow; Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Professor at the College of Horticulture, Anantharajupeta, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Andhra Pradesh; and the Director of Horticulture, Government of Andhra Pradesh, or a nominated representative.
The committee has been instructed to visit the major Totapuri mango-growing regions of Andhra Pradesh within the next ten days. During the field visits, members will interact with farmers, representatives of the processing industry, exporters, officials of the State Horticulture Department, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and other stakeholders to gain a detailed understanding of the prevailing challenges.
The expert panel will examine various aspects of the sector, including the current status of Totapuri mango cultivation, production costs, farmers’ incomes, processing capacity and utilisation, demand-supply dynamics, and the factors contributing to the recent decline in prices in both domestic and export markets. It will also identify bottlenecks across the value chain and explore opportunities to improve efficiency, competitiveness and market access.
Based on field observations, stakeholder consultations and scientific analysis, the committee will prepare a comprehensive report outlining the reasons behind the fall in prices. The report will serve as the foundation for evidence-based policy interventions by the Central and State Governments.
The recommendations are expected to include measures for price stabilisation, promotion of value addition, expansion of processing and export capacities, stronger coordination among Farmer Producer Organisations, processors and exporters, and policy reforms required for the long-term development of the Totapuri mango sector.
Speaking on the initiative, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said protecting the income and livelihoods of Totapuri mango growers remains a priority for the Government. He said appropriate steps would be taken based on the committee’s recommendations to provide sustainable support to farmers, strengthen the value chain and create new opportunities for value addition, exports, investment and employment in the sector.
