Kiranmai tutika | AMARAVATI

A deepening crisis in Andhra Pradesh’s mango belt has pushed distressed farmers to the brink, with many resorting to dumping truckloads of mangoes on roads in protest. In districts like Chittoor, Tirupati, and parts of Nellore, angry cultivators have staged demonstrations, accusing pulp factories and traders of exploiting them by offering abysmally low prices, far below the government-announced Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Andhra Pradesh, especially Chittoor district, is one of the largest producers of mangoes in India, with tens of thousands of acres under cultivation. This year, a bumper harvest, largely of Totapuri and Banganapalli varieties, raised initial hopes among farmers. However, a combination of early rainfall, pest outbreaks, and oversupply from last season has left markets flooded and procurement agencies reluctant.

“Last year we sold mangoes for Rs.25,000 to Rs.30,000 per tonne. This year, we’re being offered as low as Rs.4 per kg, which doesn’t even cover labour or transport,” said R.Nagappa, a mango grower from Chittoor. “What are we supposed to do with tonnes of unsold fruit? We’re forced to throw it on the roads to get the government’s attention.”

Protests erupted in several mandals over the past week, with farmers dumping mangoes on national highways, blocking roads, and staging sit-ins in front of pulp factories. In one striking scene, a tractor loaded with mangoes was tipped over at a junction near Palamaner, symbolising their anger and helplessness.

“They promised Rs.12 per kg under MSP with a Rs.4 subsidy,” said N. Ramulamma, another farmer. “But when we go to the factories, they say they’re not buying or offer just Rs.5–6/kg, citing last year’s unsold stock. This is daylight robbery.”

The pulp processing industry, which plays a crucial role in mango procurement in the region, is facing a slowdown due to 2.74 lakh tonnes of unsold mango pulp from last season, industry sources said. As a result, many factories have suspended procurement, while others are cherry-picking premium fruit at minimal prices.

“The market is saturated, exports have slowed, and we have last year’s stock rotting in warehouses. We can’t afford new pulp this season,” said a factory manager in Renigunta, requesting anonymity.

District Collector Sumit Kumar recently held an emergency review meeting with farmers and pulp unit representatives. The administration reiterated the MSP of Rs.12 per kg for Totapuri mangoes and warned factories against predatory pricing. “We are committed to protecting farmer interests. Any factory violating procurement norms will face strict action,” he stated.

However, farmers say that ground implementation remains weak, and middlemen continue to exploit the price gap between field and factory gate. “Even after unloading, we are not given proper weigh slips or receipts. They deduct arbitrary amounts,” said R. Nagappa.

The protests have drawn political attention, with opposition parties accusing the state government of mishandling the crisis. Leaders from farmers’ unions have demanded the immediate activation of procurement centres, compensation for losses, and a crackdown on trader syndicates.

Leaders argue that the crisis reflects long standing structural weaknesses in Andhra Pradesh’s horticulture marketing system.

“There’s a clear need for better cold storage, direct farmer-market linkages, and stronger APMC support, especially for perishable crops like mango,” said Dr. P. Bhaskar, an agricultural economist from Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University. Unless corrective steps are taken, the mango economy in the state risks collapse, he warned.

With mangoes rotting by the tonne and frustration mounting, farmers are demanding urgent government action beyond verbal assurances. They want procurement at fair prices, streamlined logistics, and a fair, transparent system that protects them from seasonal exploitation.