Govt of forms high-level ICAR panel as Totapuri mango prices crash; Andhra farmers to get value chain review

New Delhi: The Central Government has initiated a comprehensive review of the Totapuri mango sector after a sharp decline in prices severely affected growers in Andhra Pradesh, the country's largest producer of the variety.

Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to constitute a high-level expert committee to examine the reasons behind the price slump and recommend long-term measures to improve farmers' incomes and strengthen the entire value chain.

The decision comes soon after the Union Minister's visit to Andhra Pradesh, where he met Totapuri mango growers. During the interaction, farmers expressed concern over the steep fall in prices of Totapuri mangoes, a variety primarily cultivated for pulp and processing industries. They informed the Minister that the prolonged price decline has significantly reduced farm incomes and placed many growers under financial stress.

Committee to Study Entire Value Chain

Rather than limiting the exercise to price analysis, the expert committee has been tasked with conducting a detailed assessment of the complete Totapuri mango ecosystem, covering cultivation, processing, marketing, domestic trade and exports.

The panel will identify the structural and market-related factors responsible for the decline in prices and suggest interventions aimed at improving profitability and ensuring sustainable growth of the sector.

The committee will be chaired by Dr. T. Damodaran, Director of ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow.

Other members include:

• Dr. M. Shankaran, Head, Fruit Crops Division, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru.
• Dr. H.S. Singh, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CISH, Lucknow.
• Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Professor, College of Horticulture, Anantharajupeta, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Andhra Pradesh.
• The Director of Horticulture, Government of Andhra Pradesh, or a nominated representative.

Field Visit Within 10 Days

The Agriculture Minister has instructed the committee to visit major Totapuri mango-growing districts in Andhra Pradesh within the next ten days.

During the field assessment, the team will interact with farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), processing industries, exporters, State Horticulture Department officials and other stakeholders to gain first-hand insights into the challenges affecting the sector.

The committee will study several key aspects, including:

• Current area and production of Totapuri mango.
• Cost of cultivation and farmer profitability.
• Processing capacity and utilisation.
• Demand and supply trends.
• Domestic and export market performance.
• Factors responsible for the recent fall in prices.
• Constraints across the production, processing and marketing chain.
• Opportunities to improve efficiency, competitiveness and market access.

The findings will be supported by field observations, stakeholder consultations and scientific analysis before being compiled into a detailed report.

Focus on Price Stabilisation and Value Addition

Once the study is completed, the committee will submit its report to the Union Agriculture Minister. The recommendations are expected to cover measures for:

• Price stabilisation.
• Expanding value addition.
• Strengthening mango processing infrastructure.
• Increasing export opportunities.
• Improving coordination among FPOs, processors and exporters.
• Policy reforms required for sustainable development of the Totapuri mango sector.

The recommendations will form the basis for coordinated action by both the Central and Andhra Pradesh governments.

Government Assures Support to Farmers

Emphasising the importance of protecting growers' livelihoods, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said safeguarding the incomes of Totapuri mango farmers remains a priority for the Government.

He said the Centre will take appropriate policy decisions after examining the committee's recommendations, with the objective of strengthening the mango value chain, promoting value addition, boosting exports and attracting investment that can generate employment while ensuring better returns for farmers.