Low mango yield, falling prices irk farmers

KHAMMAM : With price of mangoes falling in the market, Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts are a worried lot. Over 20,000 farmers cultivated mangoes in 40,000 hectares in both districts. However, the mango yield has come down this year to 5 to 10 tonnes per acre against 10 to 15 tonnes last year.

Shattered hopes

According to sources, farmers invested `40,000 to `50,000 per acre expecting more yield this year but the cold weather shattered their hopes. 

Though the yield was low, farmers pinned their hopes on high price for their produce. However, traders in the market have been offering half the price compared to the initial price in February.

Banginapalli variety was sold at `50,000 per tonne when themango market began in February. However, at present traders are offering `10,000-`25,000 only. Collector variety is fetching `6,000 to `8,000 per tonne.

K Venkateswara Reddy, a farmer, said that the mango prices brought cheers to farmers last year but this year the traders have been looting them with reduced prices. Last year Collector variety was sold at `1.35 lakh per tonne and continued `50,000 till the market was closed.

Increase in supply

Bad weather condition is one of the key reasons for the falling prices of mango. Second, mango was produced in abnormal quantity this year in Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. With huge quantity of mangoes flooding the market, prices have been pushed low.

Nandyala Kantha Reddy, a mango farmer from Rejerla village in Sattupalli mandal, said if prices continue, the farmers will suffer a lot.

Already farmers have been suffering due to low yield caused by cold weather and now the traders have been looting the farmers withreduced prices, he added. He appealed to the government to ensure `30,000 per tonne for Banginapalli variety and `20,000-`25,000 per tonne for Collector variety.