DMK-AIADMK spat highlights need for fair price to mango farmers in Tamil Nadu

Ongoing political spat between DMK and AIADMK over mango prices highlights issues of fair pricing and value addition for farmers.

The ongoing political spat between the DMK and the AIADMK over ’the king of all fruits’, brings to the fore the need for ensuring fair price to mango farmers in Tamil Nadu and providing value addition in the marketing of the crop. 

Complaining about the DMK regime’s “lack of response” to issues of mango growers in the State, the principal Opposition party is to hold a demonstration at Natham in Dindigul district on Friday (June 20, 2025).   

On an average, Tamil Nadu grows mango on 1.46 lakh hectares with an annual production of around 9.5 lakh tonnes. There was a perceptible fall in production only during the COVID-19 pandemic year (2020-21).  

While the State’s share in terms of area is around 6% of the national average, it contributes about 4% of national production. Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Theni and Tiruvallur are the major mango-growing districts in Tamil Nadu.  

According to Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA - a body under the control of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industries), Tamil Nadu is known for its varieties — Alphonso, Totapuri or Bangalora, Banganapalli and Neelam. The State government refers to other varieties too, such as Imam Pasand, Rumani and Senthura.

However, at the all-India level, Tamil Nadu is considered a major mango-growing State. Among the southern States that make it to the toppers’ list are Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, with Uttar Pradesh in the north leading the pack.  

Due to mismatch in demand and supply, farmers complain that the private sector offers them only ₹8 to ₹9 per kg, as against their demand of ₹20 per kg. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, in a statement issued on Wednesday (June 18), quoted a rate of ₹5 per kg.