Big initiative by Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to provide relief to Totapuri mango farmers of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high‑level review of the Totapuri mango value chain after a committee visit to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The expert committee, constituted under ICAR, identified low real‑pulp content in mango‑based drinks, inadequate processing capacity and old orchards as key reasons for falling farmer incomes. It recommended making 22‑25 % real mango pulp mandatory in beverages with GST incentives, creating a Central Coordination and Price Stabilisation Committee, rejuvenating orchards through top‑working, supplying fruit bags over 23,333 ha and promoting FPO‑based processing and mango‑butter products. An inter‑ministerial meeting involving FSSAI, GST Council, Finance, Food Processing, Agriculture and Health ministries was directed to finalise standards and tax structures, while APEDA will draft an export‑marketing strategy for Totapuri mangoes.