Archive · 11 Jan 2026
Lemon Farmers Face Crisis Due to Water Scarcity and Price Crash
Lemon farmers in Nellore, India, are facing a big problem.
There isn't enough water, and the price of lemons has dropped a lot.
This is making it hard for farmers to earn money.
Many are leaving lemon farming and switching to other jobs or crops.
Farmers used to sell a bag of lemons for Rs 4,500–5,000, but now they only get Rs 1,500–2,000.
This is affecting not just the farmers but also the people who work in selling lemons.
Everyone is hoping for help to save this important industry.
Water scarcity and poor monsoons have drastically reduced lemon prices in Nellore, affecting 4 lakh farmers.
Prices have dropped from Rs 4,500–5,000 to Rs 1,500–2,000 per 72-kg bag, with some farmers unable to cover labour costs.
Lemon cultivation spans 30,000 hectares across multiple mandals, with Nellore being a key production hub in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Exports have fallen from 30+ lorries daily to just 10 small ones, impacting associated traders and labourers.
Farmers are switching to less water-intensive crops or agricultural labour due to the crisis.
- Who
- Lemon farmers in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh
- What
- Water scarcity and price crash leading to abandonment of lemon farming
- When
- Since June 2025, with the worst crisis described by senior farmers
- Where
- Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, particularly in regions like Podalakur, Gudur, and others
- Why
- Repeated monsoon failures, rising costs, and reduced yields
- Affected Farmers
- 4 lakh
- Cultivation Area
- 30,000 hectares
- Price Drop
- Rs 4,500–5,000 to Rs 1,500–2,000 per 72-kg bag
- Exports
- Fell from 30+ lorries daily to 10 small ones
- Impacted Workers
- 3 lakh wholesale/retail traders and labourers
- Key Regions
- Podalakur, Chejerla, Rapuru, Kaluvaya, Sydapuram, Dakkili, Venkatagiri, Manubolu, Ozili, Gudur, Balayapalli
- Major Markets
- Gudur, Podalakur
- Destinations
- Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kolkata, Delhi, Nagpur, Chennai