Mango prices fall sharply, farmers demand compensation

Mango farmers in Madurai demand fair prices, compensation, and MSP to combat exploitation by traders and corporates.

As mango farmers in Madurai district face a roadblock in selling their produce to traders due to the abysmally low prices fixed by them, they are demanding compensation or a solution for procurement of fruits at a better price.  

Though the farmers witnessed lower yields in the last few years, this year farmers enjoyed a good harvest, but they could not reap the benefits, said Jeeva, a farmer from Kesampatti near Melur.  

He added that the good cultivation could have benefitted them if a fixed and regularised procurement system was in practice.  

“I have about 100 trees in three acres of land, and the cultivation was about 25 tonne this year,” he stated.  

But, the traders, who went to procure the produce wanted them for just Rs.4 per kg, he added.  

When the procurement price was about Rs.25 per kg last year, this year, the drastic drop in the price has put the farmers in a tight spot, Mr. Jeeva said.