The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development has taken up a study on value chain analysis of mango produce in Andhra Pradesh in a bid to extend all means of support to farmers in the coming years.
The four-month research, with main focus on existing marketing system at various levels, from farmers to consumers, is expected to be completed by August end. “We are looking into reasons for interference of middlemen which adversely affected the farmers. Middlemen deprive farmers of their due returns on investments,” intern for the NABARD project Rajita Varma told The Hindu .
Ms. Rajita of University of Hyderabad’s School of Economics accompanied by Krishna district-based NGO Nestham has completed her study in Chittoor and parts of Krishna district – Nuzvid, Agiripalli, Mylavaram and Vissannapeta. Other areas to be covered in coming months include the two Godavari districts and parts of Northern Andhra Pradesh.
“The immediate concern of NABARD is to bring the maximum possible extent of land under mango cultivation to harness its true potential and demand. Apart from financial support to the farmer, NABARD will also be looking into provision of infrastructure facilities such as storage facilities,” Ms. Rajita added.
The existing problems of the mango farmer in Nuzvid and other areas in Krishna district have been documented from the perspective of all stakeholders in mango farming and marketing. “Quality-based price spread of the mango and viable conditions to increase the extent are also being examined” she added.
