The State government is taking firm measures to support mango farmers, said Transport Minister and Chittoor district in-charge Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy on Monday.The Minister was reviewing the issues concerning mango pulp industries at a meeting held at the Collectorate chaired by District Collector Sumit Kumar. Representatives of mango processing units, senior mango farmers, and officials of the horticulture and allied departments participated in the deliberations.Addressing the farmers and pulp industry representatives, the Minister said that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had given top priority to resolving the concerns of mango farmers, who suffered losses due to a sharp decline in market prices following a bumper crop earlier this year.To ensure farmers did not bear the brunt of the price crash, the government announced a support price of ₹4 per kg and transferred ₹183 crore directly into the bank accounts of farmers across Annamayya, Tirupati, and Chittoor districts. Of this, ₹146.84 crore was deposited to 31,929 farmers in Chittoor district alone, the Minister said.Mr. Reddy said that the government had also directed mango pulp units to pay a minimum of ₹8 per kg to farmers and reminded industry owners of their responsibility to protect growers’ interests. He added that the State was extending incentives, infrastructure support, and assistance with electricity charges to encourage the growth of processing industries.Collector Sumit Kumar said that pulp industries procured 2.40 lakh metric tonnes of mangoes during June and July. Prices increased in mid-July, benefiting several farmers, he said. He pointed out that a few local industries were paying lower prices compared to those in Krishnagiri of Tamil Nadu, and urged them to align with fair market practices. He emphasised the importance of cooperation between farmers and pulp industries to ensure stability.Representatives of pulp industries said rising import duties in European markets had adversely affected them. They appealed for a reduction of GST on mango pulp and proposed the formation of a Mango Board.Published - November 17, 2025 08:58 pm IST