Andhra Pradesh explains ban on import of Totapuri mango from Karnataka

The Andhra Pradesh government defended its decision to restrict the entry of Totapuri mangoes from Karnataka, and other states, citing the need to protect local farmers and avoid potential law and order issues.

According to government sources, the state announced a procurement price of Rs 8 per kg for Totapuri mangoes, in a move aimed at stabilising mango prices and supporting local growers. Additionally, under a price support scheme, a Rs 4 per kg subsidy will be provided to farmers — ensuring they receive a total of Rs 12 per kg.

This initiative, which comes in the wake of market concerns over excess supply and falling prices, is expected to cost the government Rs 220 crore. Andhra Pradesh has set an ambitious procurement target of 5.5 lakh tonnes this season to ensure farmers benefit directly from the scheme.

However, officials have raised alarms over the inflow of Totapuri mangoes from neighbouring Karnataka, where the fruit is being sold at around Rs 5 per kg without any state-backed price support. The Andhra Pradesh government fears that processors may favour the cheaper Karnataka produce, undermining the state’s subsidy-driven efforts and leading to significant losses for local farmers.

Authorities also warn that if the influx of these low-cost mangoes is not checked, it could spark unrest among Andhra mango growers and potentially lead to law and order challenges.

Officials stressed that the restrictions are necessary to ensure the success of the state’s farmer-centric policies and to prevent the collapse of local mango prices.

The clarification comes after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote to N Chandrababu Naidu requesting that the Andhra Pradesh government rethink the ban on the imports.

Similarly, Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, the previous day, wrote to her Andhra Pradesh counterpart and requested the ban be lifted. In her letter, Rajneesh called the decision “abrupt and unilateral,” and warned that it risked “triggering retaliatory sentiments.”

The petitions were submitted after a Government Order of June 7 restricted all Totapuri mango imports from outside Andhra Pradesh including Karnataka.