Kumaraswamy raises K'taka mango growers' concerns with Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Bengaluru, June 17
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday took up the concerns of mango growers in Karnataka with the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, seeking consideration of support under the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme through the Market Intervention Scheme to mitigate the distress faced by farmers during the 2026-27 season.
In a letter addressed to Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Kumaraswamy highlighted the challenges faced by mango cultivators due to depressed market prices, seasonal gluts and rising cultivation costs, and requested sympathetic consideration of the matter in the larger interest of farmers and the horticulture sector.
Observing that Karnataka is among the country's leading mango-producing states, Kumaraswamy noted that the cultivation extends over nearly 1.45 lakh hectares, with an estimated production of around 10 lakh metric tonnes during the current season.
Districts such as Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, Bengaluru Rural, Dharwad, Tumakuru and Haveri support the livelihoods of thousands of farming families who depend substantially on horticulture for their income.
The Union Minister pointed out that many growers are being compelled to sell their produce at prices significantly below remunerative levels owing to market fluctuations and oversupply conditions.
Citing estimates of the Karnataka Agricultural Price Commission, he said the Cost C-3 of mango cultivation has been assessed at Rs 3,951 per quintal, while prevailing market prices remain substantially below this level, exposing farmers to considerable financial losses despite substantial investments in irrigation, labour and harvesting operations.
Kumaraswamy observed that extending support through the PDPS mechanism would help bridge the gap between market prices and remunerative returns, while ensuring income protection for growers without distorting market dynamics. He noted that such assistance would be particularly beneficial in horticulture-dependent districts such as Kolar, where mango cultivation forms an important component of the rural economy.
Requesting that the proposal be examined in coordination with the Government of Karnataka, Kumaraswamy urged the Union Agriculture Ministry to consider extending appropriate support to mango growers under the PDPS framework and initiate the necessary administrative process at the earliest.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is a classic example of how our agricultural policies remain reactive instead of proactive. Why wait for farmers to face losses every season? The government should have a robust mechanism to stabilize prices before the glut occurs. But I appreciate Kumaraswamy for at least flagging it—let’s see if the Centre responds with real support or just another committee. 🙏
Interesting to see a Union Minister from Karnataka taking up a local issue at the national level. The Price Deficiency Payment Scheme sounds good on paper, but the challenge is always implementation and timely release of funds. I hope this doesn’t end up like many other agricultural support schemes that get delayed or diluted.
The numbers are staggering—10 lakh metric tonnes of mangoes and farmers still can’t get a fair price. It’s a shame when you compare what we pay for mangoes in the city (Rs 100-150 per kg) versus what farmers get. The middlemen always win, and the farmer bears the loss. PDPS or not, we need better cold storage and supply chain infrastructure. 🥭
Good step, but I wish politicians would stop playing musical chairs with farmers’ issues. Every year same story—mango, onion, tomato farmers face price crashes, and then some minister writes a letter. The real solution is long-term planning, diversification, and market linkages. But at least Kumaraswamy is doing his job, unlike many who just give speeches.
The Cost C-3 details are revealing. Farmers invest nearly Rs 4,000 per quintal and get far less in return. This isn’
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