Chittoor MP demands Mango Board for export support

Chittoor Member of Parliament Daggumalla Prasada Rao has called on the Central government to support mango farmers facing challenges due to natural disasters. He urged for the creation of a dedicated Mango Board to improve the situation for mango growers and increase exports. During a press conference, the MP highlighted the importance of Andhra Pradesh in mango cultivation, where over 370,000 hectares are planted with the fruit. He pointed out that regions like Krishna, Chittoor, and Godavari are crucial for mango production. The Totapuri variety from Chittoor is particularly important for mango pulp exports, especially to Ukraine. However, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has disrupted these exports, causing financial difficulties for farmers. Mr. Prasada Rao also raised concerns about the high import duties on mango pulp imposed by the European Union. He noted these tariffs are significantly higher than those in African countries. The MP urged the Indian government to negotiate with European nations to lower these tariffs, which would help Andhra Pradesh mango farmers compete better in the market. In discussing the recent Union Budget for 2025-26, the MP praised the government’s focus on agriculture with an increase in funding. He mentioned the PM-KISAN scheme, which has provided ₹43.46 lakh crore to farmers since 2019. He also highlighted the rise in the Kisan Credit Card loan limit from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh as a positive step for the agricultural sector. Finally, the MP urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure minimum support prices for mango farmers and to provide relief measures for those affected by unfavorable weather conditions.