NAGAPATTINAM: The ban on import of mangoes in Andhra Pradesh from other States has given traders and farmers in Nagapattinam cause for concern. Andhra Pradesh has banned the inter-state movement of mangoes in order to encourage its own growers of the fruit.
Vedaranyam and Thalaignayiru contribute 90 per cent of mango cultivation and production in Nagapattinam district. “At least 50 per cent of mangoes go to other States. We export mangoes to Andhra Pradesh in the second quarter of the year and to Kerala in the other quarters. The government needs to take steps to ensure cultivation, production and trade of mangoes are not affected by fixing prices in Tamil Nadu so farmers get a good deal within the State if exports fail,” said P Kanchamalai, a wholesaler and distributor from Vilunthamavadi in Nagapattinam.
Mangoes are cultivated in over 50 villages in Vedaranyam and Thalaignayiru blocks in Nagapattinam district, such as Pushpavanam, Sembodai, Kathiripulam, Thamaraikulam, Naluvedhapadhi, Kuravapulam and Thethakkudi. The fruit is cultivated over an area of 50,000 acres.
Neelam and Oetu are the two of the largest cultivated mangoes varieties. Apart from these, there are introduced varieties like Rumani, Banganopalle, Senthura and Malgova. Mangoes used to be exported in both raw and ripened forms to other States.
Mangoes growing in Nagapattinam taste sour than those from other districts in Tamil Nadu. This has led to a boost in pickle production.
Nagapattinam district farmers are starting to demand a minimum support price (MSP) for mangoes as in the two neighbouring States. Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has announced an MSP of Rs 2,500 per tonne of mangoes. The move came after farmers in Karnataka expressed concerns over falling fruit prices.
“What is Tamil Nadu waiting for? Both the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments have taken steps to protect the livelihood of farmers by announcing a ban on imported mangoes and announcing MSPs. Tamil Nadu must follow suit to avoid a crash in business for farmers and traders,” said Cauvery V Dhanapalan, president of the Cauvery Farmers Protection Committee.
Dhanapalan added. “The mangoes that grow in Nagapattinam are not fit for pulping as they are sour. When mangoes fail to be exported, they are in danger of being sold at prices lower than the norm in Tamil Nadu, which will eventually crush farmers through low trade procurement.” G Sivakumar, a mango farmer from Vedaranyam, said MSP should be fixed after consulting farmers.
R Sivaji, an organic farmer, said, “One of the reasons other States are starting to stop mango imports from Tamil Nadu is the use of chemical fertilisers during cultivation and calcium carbide for ripening. Organic farmers need to be encouraged so the mango market does not crash and result in losses for farmers.”