Tirupati: Severe price distress among Totapuri mango growers in Andhra Pradesh’s Rayalaseema region, in particular this year, has brought the state govt’s market intervention mechanism under intense scrutiny following details revealed during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.Addressing the issue in Parliament, Tirupati MP Dr M Gurumoorthy pointed out that despite state-level assurances of ensuring prices up to ₹12 per kg, growers in Chittoor district were forced to distress-sell their yield for as little as ₹3 to ₹6 per kg in early July and around ₹4 per kg in June. The crisis left hundreds of tractor-loads of fresh produce idling outside processing units for days.In response to the inquiry, Union minister of state for agriculture Shri Ram Nath Thakur clarified that the central govt had already sanctioned the procurement of 2,16,250 metric tonnes of Totapuri mangoes under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for the 2026–27 marketing season following a request from Andhra Pradesh. Under this approval, the Centre fixed the Market Intervention Price (MIP) at ₹1,747 per quintal—translating to ₹17.47 per kg—exposing a stark disconnect between sanctioned central relief and the ground-level prices actualized by local growers.Beyond immediate procurement, MP Gurumoorthy pressed for long-term structural support, advocating for the establishment of a National Mango Board in Tirupati and a National Mango Research Station in Chittoor. However, the department of agriculture and farmers welfare confirmed that no such institutional proposals are currently under consideration.To address productivity and income sustainability, expert recommendations have outlined key agronomic steps, including orchard rejuvenation, improved crop varieties, post-harvest handling, storage facilities, and export promotion.In line with these measures, the state horticulture department has finalised farmer selections across Chittoor and Tirupati districts for top-working orchard projects. MP Gurumoorthy urged state agencies to streamline the approved 2.16 lakh metric tonne procurement plan effectively so that sanctioned relief reaches farmers directly and prevents recurring market collapses.