Cashew farmers in the Parvathipuram Manyam district have alleged that officials are neglecting their plantations, leaving crops vulnerable to pests and resulting in poor yields. Farmers cultivate around 68,000 acres of cashew across eight mandals under the Parvathipuram Manyam ITDA.
Farmers claimed that neither ITDA officials nor Horticulture staff have regularly inspected their orchards. They also alleged that middlemen are exploiting growers by offering low prices. While factories in neighbouring Srikakulam district are reportedly paying ₹180–₹200 per kg, farmers in Parvathipuram Manyam receive only ₹70–₹160 per kg.
A cashew procurement unit was opened at the Parvathipuram Market Yard last year following protests demanding a support price. However, farmers said only about 20 per cent of this season’s crop has been procured, leaving much of the produce unsold.
CPM leader Kolli Sambamurthy demanded immediate plantation inspections and government procurement at ₹200 per kg to protect farmers’ livelihoods.