Centre forms high-level committee to address Totapuri mango farmers' distress in Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed a high-level committee report on the declining income and falling prices of Totapuri mangoes in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The committee recommended mandatory 22-25% real pulp in mango-based beverages and a comprehensive plan to strengthen the entire value chain.
Background
Totapuri mango farmers in these states have been facing repeated price crashes and income losses due to lack of processing capacity, poor market coordination, and low pulp content in beverages. The committee was formed on July 2, 2026, under ICAR-CISH to investigate and suggest solutions.
Key facts
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high-level meeting on July 22, 2026, to review the committee's report on Totapuri mango issues.
The committee visited farms, mandis, and pulp units in Tirupati and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh from July 8-10, 2026.
Key reasons for price crash: lack of timely processing capacity, poor coordination in procurement, low real pulp in mango drinks, and global market fluctuations.
Committee recommended mandating 22-25% real mango pulp in all mango-based beverages.
Only beverages meeting the pulp threshold should be placed under the 5% concessional GST slab.
Focus on zonal procurement, fruit bags, and FPO-based processing units.
Plan includes new varieties and top-working for orchard improvement.
Centre, states, ICAR, and APEDA will collaborate to revamp the Totapuri value chain.
Committee included ICAR-CISH, ICAR-IIHR, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, and state horticulture officials.
Prelims pointers
- Totapuri mango: a major variety grown in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka.
- ICAR-CISH: Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow.
- ICAR-IIHR: Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru.
- APEDA: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.
- FPO: Farmer Producer Organization.
- GST: Goods and Services Tax; concessional rate of 5% for certain items.
- Dr. YSR Horticultural University: located in Andhra Pradesh.
- Date of committee formation: July 2, 2026.
Mains angles
- GS3: Agriculture – issues of price volatility, processing infrastructure, and value chain inefficiencies in horticulture.
- GS3: Government policies and interventions for farmers' welfare – role of high-level committees and implementation.
- GS3: Food processing – mandatory pulp content in beverages as a quality and market intervention.
- GS2: Centre-State coordination in agricultural reforms.