By The Hindu Bureau
Minister for Transport, Youth Services and Sports Mandipalli Ram Prasad Reddy on Friday (July 4) lauded the government decision to support mango farmers by offering 鈧4 a kg as subsidy and launching procurement at 鈧12 a kg at pulp units.
Speaking to the media here, he termed the move 鈥渢imely and farmer-friendly,鈥 and credited Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu鈥檚 leadership for swift intervention to end farmers鈥 distress. He urged the pulp units to honour the Chief Minister鈥檚 directive for procurement of mangoes at 鈧8 a kg.
鈥淢r. Chandrababu Naidu always believed that the farmer is the backbone of the nation. This latest move to benefit the mango farmers reflected his resolve to respond to the farmers鈥 difficulties,鈥 he said.
Mr. Reddy blamed the previous YSRCP government for neglecting agriculture and throwing farmers into a debt-trap. 鈥淗owever, the incumbent coalition government remains determined to do the best for the farmers by resisting market pressure and prioritising producer welfare,鈥 the Minister said.
The Minister observed that this year鈥檚 bumper crop of totapuri mangoes meant for the pulp industry led to a nosedive in prices.