*Mango farmers left to suffer in CM's own district*

*Gangadhara Nellore, June 30:* YSR Congress Party staged a massive protest at the Jain factory in Gangadhara Nellore, Chittoor district, demanding a remunerative price for Totapuri mango farmers. Acting on the directions of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the party organized protests across Chittoor, Tirupati, Annamayya and Kadapa districts in support of distressed mango growers. Former Minister Narayana Swamy, former TTD Chairman Bhoomana Karunakar Reddy, Chittoor in-charge M.C. Vijayananda Reddy, GD Nellore in-charge Krupalakshmi, former MLA Dr. Sunil and other party leaders participated in the agitation, asserting that farmers in the Chief Minister's own district have been abandoned despite suffering severe losses.

YSRCP leaders demanded that the government implement the Rs. 17.50 per kg support price announced by the Centre on the lines of Karnataka and immediately intervene to protect mango farmers. They said nearly 15 lakh tonnes of mangoes were produced across Rayalaseema, while over 2 lakh tonnes in Chittoor and Tirupati districts have already gone to waste due to the government's failure to ensure procurement. They stated that factory owners and the government have worked together to exploit farmers, with factories rejecting large portions of produce on quality grounds and paying only Rs. 4-5 per kg, forcing growers into heavy losses. They also condemned the police for blocking tractors carrying farmers to the protest site.

The leaders said cultivation costs, labour charges, transport expenses and delays in unloading at factories have wiped out farmers' incomes, leaving them with nothing after harvest. They criticised the token system at factories for favouring select farmers while forcing others to wait for days, increasing transportation costs and pushing many into financial distress. They contrasted the present situation with the YS Jagan government, stating that Totapuri mangoes received prices of up to Rs. 25 per kg, while today farmers are compelled to sell their produce for as little as Rs. 2-7 per kg. YSRCP declared that its struggle will continue until every mango farmer receives a fair remunerative price and complete justice.