Bhumana Blames Government for Crisis Faced by Mango Farmers

 Tirupati: YSRC senior leader and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy on Tuesday alleged that mango farmers in the erstwhile Chittoor district were facing severe financial distress due to low prices for their produce.

Addressing the media in Tirupati, Karunakar Reddy claimed that growers were struggling to secure remunerative prices and were looking to the government for support. He alleged that the government's response to the issue had been inadequate and said farmers were being offered only Rs 4 per kg for mangoes.

“Although pulp factories initially indicated a price of Rs 6 per kg, many farmers were not receiving even Rs 4 per kg. Despite the presence of around 42 pulp factories in the district, growers are waiting for long hours in tractors and lorries to sell their produce,” he said.

The former TTD chairman said farmers were demanding a minimum price of Rs 15 per kg and alleged that mango growers in the Chief Minister’s native district were facing serious economic hardship.

Referring to an incident in GD Nellore constituency, Karunakar Reddy alleged that a farmer had attempted suicide by pouring kerosene on himself due to financial distress. He claimed that the farmer was a supporter of the Telugu Desam and blamed the state government's policies for the difficulties faced by mango cultivators.

He further alleged that several farmers were considering cutting down their mango orchards as cultivation had become unviable because of low prices and the absence of adequate government support.

Bhumana urged the government to ensure a minimum procurement price of Rs 15 per kg and take immediate measures to safeguard the interests of mango farmers.