Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu to remove the ban on the entry of ‘Totapuri’ Mangoes from Karnataka into Chittoor district. ‘Totapuri’ mango is a popular variety used in processing and pulp extraction units, and is widely grown in the border district of Kolar.
“I am writing to convey my deep concern over an order, reportedly issued by the District Collector of Chittoor on June 7, imposing a ban on the entry of Totapuri mangoes from other States into the district. I understand that multidisciplinary enforcement teams comprising officials from the revenue, police, forest, and marketing departments have been deployed at the inter-State check-posts adjoining Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to implement this directive,” Siddaramaiah said in a letter to Naidu dated June 11.
“This abrupt and unilateral move has caused considerable hardships to the mango growers in the State, particularly those in the border regions, who cultivate Totapuri mangoes in substantial quantities,” Siddaramaiah said, adding that these farmers have long relied on the robust linkages with Chittoor-based processing and pulp extraction units to sell their produce.
“The current restriction has disrupted this well-established supply chain and threatens significant post-harvest losses, directly impacting the livelihoods of thousands of farmers,” Siddaramiah said.
May lead to avoidable tension
The Karnataka Chief Minister said such unilateral actions, taken without prior consultation or coordination, run contrary to the spirit of cooperative federalism. “I am also concerned that this may lead to avoidable tension and retaliatory measures, with stakeholders already expressing discontent, that could potentially disrupt the inter-State movement of vegetables and other agricultural commodities.”
Seeking Naidu’s intervention into the matter, Siddaramiah urged him to issue necessary directions to the authorities in Chittoor district for the immediate revocation of the said order.
“I trust that you (Naidu) will treat this issue with the seriousness it warrants, and take swift steps to restore the seamless movement of agricultural produce in the interest of farmer welfare,” he added.
According to reports, on Wednesday, farmers in Srinivasapura, a major mango growing belt in Kolar district held protests and observed a taluk-level bandh on Wednesday, demanding a support price for mangoes and withdrawal of the ban imposed by the neighbouring State.