Government clears copra and Totapuri mango procurement to protect Tamil Nadu farmers

New Delhi: The Government of India has approved the procurement of large quantities of copra and Totapuri mangoes in Tamil Nadu during 2026. The decision is expected to provide price support to growers and help prevent distress sales during the harvest season.

The approval follows a proposal submitted by the Tamil Nadu Government and has been cleared by Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), the Centre has sanctioned the procurement of 87,226 metric tonnes (MT) of copra, including 87,000 MT of milling copra and 226 MT of ball copra, at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The total value of the approved copra procurement is estimated to be more than ₹1,049.16 crore, providing a major financial cushion to coconut growers in the state. The procurement is intended to ensure that farmers receive the notified MSP even if open market prices decline.

In another important decision, the Centre has also approved the procurement of 96,879 MT of Totapuri mangoes under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for 2026.

The Market Intervention Price (MIP) for Totapuri mangoes has been fixed at ₹1,545.41 per quintal. The intervention aims to stabilize prices during periods of excess arrivals and ensure growers receive fair compensation for their produce instead of being forced to sell below cost.

The twin procurement measures are expected to strengthen income security for thousands of farmers cultivating coconut and Totapuri mangoes across Tamil Nadu. By assuring government-backed procurement, the Centre aims to reduce the impact of market volatility and improve returns for producers.

Agriculture experts say such timely interventions help maintain price stability, strengthen rural livelihoods, and reinforce farmers' confidence in government support mechanisms during periods of market stress.