While the Centre's intervention in the Andhra Pradesh mango sector is aimed at stabilizing the market, some concerns remain regarding the scheme's reach and effectiveness. Although the Price Deficiency Payment (PDP) under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) provides financial relief, the cap of 216,250 metric tonnes coverage limits its benefit to only a portion of total production. This raises questions about whether all farmers will equally benefit from the subsidy.
Implementation Challenges and Farmer Awareness
Successful implementation depends heavily on farmers registering properly and trading through notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis. In reality, many small-scale farmers may face difficulties accessing these mandis or lack proper awareness about the scheme, potentially excluding them from financial relief.
Market Pressures and Processing Unit Prices
Despite the compensation mechanism, prices offered by pulp processing units remain low, as seen in Chittoor district where Totapuri mangoes are procured for less than ₹6 per kilogram. This sustained low price impacts farmers' incomes negatively, indicating that PDP alone may not fully address distress pricing or market imbalances.
Need for Comprehensive Structural Reforms
The establishment of an expert committee under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to study the value chain is a positive step. However, until comprehensive structural reforms and improved market access mechanisms are implemented, farmers may continue to experience financial stress despite government relief measures.