2 hrs ago
Chittoor Mango Growers Await Delayed Pulp Industry Payments
Mango farmers in Chittoor district sold their mangoes to factories that make fruit pulp.
Many farmers say the factories have not paid them yet.
About ₹300 crore may still be owed by the factories.
The government had asked factories to pay ₹8,000 for each tonne of mangoes.
It also promised farmers an incentive of ₹4,000 per tonne.
Some factories reportedly offered less than the directed price.
A horticulture officer said the government is checking the farmers’ information and working to release money.
Farmers want both the factory payments and government incentive to arrive soon.
Mango growers in the erstwhile combined Chittoor district say pulp industries have delayed payments for fruit supplied about two months ago.
Around ₹300 crore is reportedly pending from pulp industries, while the government is preparing a ₹200 crore incentive.
The government directed industries to pay ₹8,000 a tonne and announced an additional ₹4,000-per-tonne incentive.
Some processing units reportedly offered only ₹5,000 or ₹6,000 a tonne, and farmers say fewer than 10% have received payments.
The Horticulture Department says it is verifying eligibility and aims to release the first incentive instalment by September 15.
- Who
- Mango growers, pulp industries, and the Chittoor District Horticulture Department are involved.
- What
- Farmers are awaiting delayed payments for mangoes supplied to pulp industries, along with a government incentive.
- Where
- The issue affects the erstwhile combined Chittoor district, including Puttur, Kanipakam, and Narayanavanam.
- When
- The mangoes were supplied about two months earlier; one farmer supplied fruit in the first week of July, and the department said it aimed to release the first incentive instalment by September 15.
- Why
- Farmers say pulp industries have delayed payment and, in some cases, offered less than the government-directed rate.
Farmers’ concerns
Department’s response
Payment delays
Farmers’ concerns
Farmers say they supplied mangoes weeks or months ago but are still waiting for payment, with fewer than 10% of growers reportedly paid.
Department’s response
The Horticulture Department says it is taking steps to expedite payments and will speak with pulp industry owners after completing the incentive process.
Payment rates
Farmers’ concerns
Farmers say some processing units offered ₹5,000 or ₹6,000 per tonne instead of the directed ₹8,000 rate, but they supplied the fruit anyway.
Department’s response
The government’s stated policy was for pulp industries to pay ₹8,000 per tonne, alongside a separate ₹4,000-per-tonne government incentive.
Incentive timeline
Farmers’ concerns
Farmers want the government incentive released without further delay and remain concerned about continued waiting.
Department’s response
The department says industry data collection is complete, eligibility is being verified through e-crop registration and other requirements, and the first instalment was targeted for release by September 15.
Key facts
- Cultivation area
- The erstwhile combined Chittoor district has 1.12 lakh hectares under mango cultivation.
- Totapuri area
- About 55,000 hectares are cultivated with Totapuri mangoes.
- Mangoes purchased
- Pulp industries purchased around five lakh tonnes during the season.
- Reported industry dues
- Around ₹300 crore is reportedly pending from pulp industries.
- Government incentive
- The government is preparing to release an incentive of ₹200 crore.
- Directed industry rate
- The government directed pulp industries to pay ₹8,000 per tonne.
- Promised incentive rate
- The announced government incentive is ₹4,000 per tonne.
Quotes
Kota Nagendra
Mango farmer from Puttur in Tirupati district
“We are uploading all details relating to the incentive online. Once the process is completed, we will speak to the pulp industry owners and ensure that the amounts are credited to farmers’ accounts.”
deccanchronicle.com
“We supplied mangoes to a pulp industry in the first week of July. The owner issued a bill at ₹5,000 a tonne, but the amount has not been credited yet.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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