Bhumana Karunakar Reddy Highlights Critical Mango Farmers' Crisis in Chittoor District

In a recent development highlighting the growing concerns of the agricultural sector, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, a senior YSRC leader and former chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), has voiced strong criticism regarding the current mango farmers' crisis in the erstwhile Chittoor district. According to recent reports, cultivators are grappling with severe financial instability due to significantly low procurement prices for their harvest, which has sparked a call for immediate government intervention.

Addressing the media in Tirupati, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy emphasized that the prevailing market conditions have left growers in a state of deep economic distress. He alleged that while pulp factories had initially suggested a price point of Rs 6 per kg, the reality on the ground is far worse, with many farmers failing to receive even Rs 4 per kg for their produce. This disparity, he noted, is forcing farmers to wait for extended hours with their vehicles, including tractors and lorries, in hopes of offloading their crops despite the unfavorable financial returns.

The Growing Impact of the Mango Farmers' Crisis

The severity of the mango farmers' crisis has raised alarms about the long-term viability of orchard cultivation in the region. There are roughly 42 pulp factories operating within the district; however, these facilities have not provided the necessary support to stabilize prices for the struggling agricultural community. Many cultivators are now reporting that the costs of production have far outpaced their earnings, pushing them toward desperate measures.

During his press interaction, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy highlighted a distressing incident reported in the GD Nellore constituency, where a farmer allegedly attempted self-harm due to intense financial pressure. This incident has been cited as a manifestation of the broader difficulties faced by those working in the industry. The former TTD chairman pointedly blamed the current state government’s policies for failing to safeguard the livelihoods of these cultivators, who are now contemplating the drastic step of clearing their mango orchards as the activity has become economically unsustainable.

The agricultural community is demanding a minimum procurement rate of Rs 15 per kg to offset their mounting debts and operational expenses. Proponents of this relief measure argue that without immediate government action to regulate prices and ensure fair procurement, the future of mango farming in the district remains bleak. The situation continues to serve as a focal point for political debate regarding the responsibility of the administration in managing the welfare of farmers during times of extreme market volatility.