Parliament Question: Support to Mango Farmers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3767 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11TH AUGUST, 2026 SUPPORT TO MANGO FARMERS 3767. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that mango farmers in Andhra Pradesh, particularly in the Chittoor and Tirupati districts have been facing recurring distress due to the sharp fall in Thothapuri mango prices despite repeated representations; (b) whether the Government has received proposals for establishment of a National Mango Board at Tirupati and a National Mango Research Station in Chittoor to strengthen procurement, price stabilization, exports, research and farmer support; (c) if so, the reasons for the delay, if any, in taking action on the proposals received; and (d) the time-bound measures proposed to improve mango marketing, processing, exports and income security for mango growers in Andhra Pradesh? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a): Government is aware of the decline in prices of Totapuri mango in Andhra Pradesh including Chittoor and Tirupati districts during the marketing season. In view of the request received from the State, Government has approved procurement of 2,16,250 Metric Tonnes (MT) of Totapuri mangoes under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for the marketing season 2026-27 at a Market Intervention Price (MIP) of Rs. 1,747 per quintal. (b) & (c): There is no such proposal under consideration in the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. However, ICAR- Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow and ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) Bengaluru are involved in development of new high yielding varieties of mango and cultivation technologies like high-density planting, canopy management, integrated pest/disease management, nutrient management, post-harvest management and extension.(d): A high-level Expert Committee comprising senior scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University and officers of the Government of Andhra Pradesh was constituted to examine the issues affecting Totapuri mango growers. The Committee conducted field visits to major Totapuri-growing districts including Chittoor and Tirupati and held consultations with farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), processors, traders, district administration and other stakeholders. The Expert Committee has recommended a number of short, medium and long-term interventions for improving mango marketing, processing, exports and farmer income security which includes - rejuvenation and top-working of old and senile mango orchards, replacement of old varieties with new and improved varieties, blending of 20% pulp in juice, RTS, nectar etc. to enhance pulp usage, zonal procurement and storage infrastructure for prolonged processing duration and export promotion. As informed by ICAR-Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture (ICAR-CISH), Lucknow, the State Department of Horticulture has already completed the selection of farmers in Chittoor and Tirupati districts for development of top-working orchards. ******