Mango growers up in arms after pleading for remunerative price for the sixth year
After sustaining losses for six consecutive years in the absence of remunerative prices, the mango growers of the undivided Chittoor district have raised a banner of revolt.
Even as the mango season is nearing its end, the pulp factories, which are replete in the region, are yet to open their gates in a full-fledged manner for receiving the harvested fruits, triggering a sense of alarm among the farming community.
There was palpable calm and uncertainty at the start of the season, where farmers perceived a heavy fall in yield as the flowers dropped in large quantities. However, the yield turned out to be better than expected, making the price plunge.
Leave alone the exotic fruits, like Benisha, Alphonso, Kalepad, Pullura and Imam Pasand, collectively called as 'table varieties', even the ubiquitous 'Bengalura' or 'Totapuri', which is widely used by the fruit pulp factories, are waiting for takers.
Members of the Federation of Farmers Associations led by Mangati Gopal Reddy, A. Rama Naidu, K. Venkaiah, Price Stabilisation Committee convener T. Janardhan and others attended the Public Grievance Redressal System (PGRS) meeting at the district Collectorate here on Monday and submitted a representation to Collector S. Venkateswar on the need for government intervention to get remunerative prices for the mango growers.
Recalling that the farmers had hit the streets for the last six years appealing for remunerative price, the farmer leaders sought a minimum of ₹30 per kg for the mangoes, which they said was 'the least price to sustain their livelihood'.
Acknowledging their concern, Mr. Venkateswar pointed to the series of meetings he had with the departmental officials at the State and district levels, and assured that the State government would come to the rescue of the mango growers.
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