CHITTOOR: Farmers in Chittoor are a disappointed lot as the district administration has fixed the price of 1 kg mango for pulp industries at Rs 19 under the first phase. Last year, on an average of three phases, the farmers were paid Rs 25 per kg of mangoes. However, they are hopeful that by the third phase of procurement, the price per kg will go up to Rs 27.
The farmers are expecting a yield of 5,86,563 metric tonnes of mango this year which was raised in nearly 1,08,428 hectares in the undivided Chittoor district. Among the varieties of mango, Totapuri accounts for a major share, followed by Neelam, Khadar, Benishan, Sindhura, and Lal Bagh in the region.
Totapuri is having more demand from pulp industries and farmers have raised the variety in nearly 42,204 hectares in the district, considering its demand in the market. The farmers have cultivated the mangoes with an average investment of Rs 30,000 per acre.
There are 31 pulp industries in the district. The harvesting of the Totapuri variety will start by the end of May.
Deputy Director of Horticulture Madhusudhan Reddy said, “The department has organised training sessions to farmers on various topics of mango cultivation and the State government has been extending support to the farmers. They need to harvest mangoes in a phased manner based on the demand and supply. We have directed the staff of Rythu Bharosa Kendras to create awareness among the farmers on harvesting the produce and monitor the price and quality at the ground level to prevent losses to farmers.”
Meanwhile, the farmers who are selling the crop in local markets and exporting to other parts of the country, are getting a good price this year, compared to the previous year. The delicious fruit is shipped not just across the country, but also internationally.
“Crushing will be done for mangoes that are imported from the Krishna district during the first phase and the mangoes of the Chittoor district in the second phase. The pulp industries have supported the farmers in providing remunerative prices,” said Govardhana Bobby, a pulp industry owner. Farmers are getting Rs 15-35 per kg based on the quality and size of mangoes in wholesale markets, while the price ranged from Rs 10-25 in the previous year.