Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to constitute a high-level expert committee to examine the deepening price crisis facing Totapuri mango growers in Andhra Pradesh and recommend long-term interventions for the sector's revival, it was announced on Friday, 3 July. The move follows the minister's recent visit to the state, where farmers flagged a sharp fall in mango prices that has severely dented their incomes.

What Triggered the Panel

During his state visit, Chouhan was informed by farmers that prices of the Totapuri mango variety — cultivated extensively for the processing industry — have declined significantly in recent months. The sustained price fall has created considerable financial stress among mango-producing communities across the state. Farmers, processors, and exporters all reportedly flagged the crisis, prompting the minister to act swiftly.

Scope of the Expert Committee

The ICAR-constituted committee will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the Totapuri mango value chain, covering cultivation, processing, domestic trade, marketing, and exports. It will examine production costs, farmers' incomes, processing capacity utilisation, demand-supply dynamics, and the factors behind the recent price decline in both domestic and export markets.

The panel will also identify opportunities to improve efficiency, competitiveness, and market access across different stages of the value chain. Based on field observations, stakeholder consultations, and scientific analysis, it will prepare a detailed report to facilitate evidence-based policy interventions.

Committee Composition and Timeline

According to an order issued by the ICAR–Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow, the committee will be chaired by Dr T. Damodaran, Director, ICAR–CISH, Lucknow. The panel comprises scientists and representatives from concerned institutions.

The minister has directed the committee to undertake field visits to major Totapuri mango-growing regions of Andhra Pradesh within the next 10 days. During these visits, it will interact with farmers, processing industry representatives, exporters, officials of the State Horticulture Department, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and other stakeholders to build a ground-level picture of the crisis.

Why This Matters for Andhra's Farmers

Andhra Pradesh is one of India's leading producers of the Totapuri mango, a variety prized for pulp extraction and juice processing rather than fresh consumption. Unlike table varieties, Totapuri prices are closely tied to processing industry demand and export orders, making growers particularly vulnerable to market downturns. A prolonged price slump can push smallholder farmers into debt, as cultivation costs remain fixed even when market returns fall sharply.

Notably, this is not the first time mango farmers in the region have flagged distress — similar concerns were raised in previous seasons over inadequate cold storage infrastructure and limited export linkages. The ICAR panel's mandate to examine the entire value chain suggests the Centre is seeking structural, rather than merely price-support, solutions this time.

What Comes Next

The committee's field visits are expected to conclude within 10 days, after which it will compile its findings and submit recommendations to the Agriculture Ministry. Stakeholders are watching whether the panel's report will lead to concrete policy interventions — including potential support for processing capacity, export facilitation, or minimum price mechanisms — before the next mango season begins.