Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has directed the constitution of a high-level expert committee under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to examine the challenges being faced by Totapuri mango growers in Andhra Pradesh and recommend appropriate measures for the long-term development of the sector. The decision follows the Union Minister's recent visit to Andhra Pradesh, during which he interacted with Totapuri mango growers. During these interactions, farmers informed the Minister that prices of the Totapuri mango variety, which is cultivated extensively for the processing industry, have declined significantly in recent months. They highlighted that the sustained fall in prices has adversely affected their incomes and created considerable financial stress among mango-producing farmers in the state.

Taking immediate cognisance of the matter, Shri Chouhan directed ICAR to constitute an expert committee comprising scientists and representatives of concerned institutions to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the Totapuri mango sector. The committee has been entrusted with examining the entire value chain from cultivation and processing to marketing, domestic trade and exports and recommending suitable interventions to improve farmers' returns and strengthen the sector on a sustainable basis.

According to an office order issued by the ICAR–Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow, the committee will be chaired by Dr. T. Damodaran, Director, ICAR–CISH, Lucknow. The other members of the committee are Dr. M. Shankaran, Head, Fruit Crops Division, ICAR–Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru; Dr. H.S. Singh, Principal Scientist, ICAR–CISH, Lucknow; Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Professor, College of Horticulture, Anantharajupeta, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Andhra Pradesh; and the Director of Horticulture, Government of Andhra Pradesh, or his or her nominee. The Union Minister has instructed the committee to undertake field visits to the major Totapuri mango-growing regions of Andhra Pradesh within the next ten days. During the visit, the committee will interact with farmers, representatives of the processing industry, exporters, officials of the State Horticulture Department, Farmer Producer Organisations and other stakeholders associated with the sector to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the prevailing situation.

The committee will examine the current status of Totapuri mango cultivation, production costs, farmers' incomes, processing capacity and utilisation, demand-supply dynamics, and the factors responsible for the recent decline in prices in domestic as well as export markets. It will also assess the challenges affecting different stages of the value chain and identify opportunities for improving efficiency, competitiveness and market access. Based on field observations, stakeholder consultations and scientific analysis, the committee will prepare a detailed assessment of the factors contributing to the decline in prices to facilitate evidence-based policy interventions.

Upon completion of the field study, the committee will submit a comprehensive report to the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare. The report is expected to include recommendations on measures for price stabilisation, promotion of value addition, enhancement of processing and export capacities, strengthening coordination among Farmer Producer Organisations, processors and exporters, and policy interventions required for the long-term and sustainable development of the Totapuri mango sector. The recommendations will serve as the basis for coordinated action by the Central and State Governments.

Shri Chouhan said that safeguarding the income and livelihoods of Totapuri mango growers is a priority for the Government. He stated that appropriate measures would be taken on the basis of the committee's recommendations to provide sustainable support to mango growers, strengthen the value chain and create new opportunities for value addition, exports, investment and employment in the sector.

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