Andhra Pradesh mango farmers stare at losses again

VIJAYAWADA: The partial lockdown in Andhra Pradesh has brought about a state of uncertainty for mango farmers across the Nuzvid region and other parts of Krishna district. Farmers, who had reason to celebrate the bumper production early in the season, are now apprehensive of losses with the sudden drop in prices.

Mangoes from Nuzivid have a global market. As many as 34 varieties that include Banginapalli, Thotapur, Chinna Rasalu and Pedda Rasalu are grown here and exported from the Nunna mango market, Asia’s largest.
With sufficient rainfall and suitable climatic conditions, farmers expected the crop to fetch solid profits this season.The cost of one tonne of fine quality Chinna Rasalu was Rs 48,000 in the last week of March and farmers hoped the price would stay in the same range. With the rapid surge in Covid-19 cases, however, traders from Punjab, Haryana and Delhi stopped coming to the local markets.
“Covid-19 has affected us badly for two consecutive years. We distributed fruits free of cost in 2020 due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Similarly, we are unable to export the crop with the partial lockdown this year. Price in the market fell to Rs 18,000 per tonne. Government should provide a transport facility and help us overcome this crisis,” said Manne Ragu Ram Babu, a farmer from Aagiripalli village of Krishna district.
Meanwhile, many farmers are directly selling mangoes to consumers through makeshift stalls along the main roads of Vijayawada city. “I have invested Rs 3 lakh on my four-acre mango garden. I received a huge crop and expected profits. But Covid-19 changed the situation. We have decided to sell mangoes door-to-door to avoid losses. There has been a good response from the public,” said Vema Reddy, a farmer from Nunna.