Mango farmers of Karnataka are unhappy about the Centre’s help

Government of Karnataka has been directed to publish the list of authorized traders dealing in Totapuri mangoes under MIS. Photo: Special arrangement

After the Center sanctioned financial assistance for Totapuri mangoes, farmers in Kolar district expressed displeasure over the State and Central government’s Market Intervention Price (MIP).

Following a protest by thousands of farmers in Kolar on June 22 against the low prices of Totapuri mangoes, the state government has sent a proposal to the Center to issue MIP to support farmers.

Meanwhile, Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy met Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to seek financial assistance for mango farmers in Karnataka.

Prahlad Joshi, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, on Thursday announced the package approved by the Centre, under which Totapuri mango growers will receive a minimum import price of ₹1,750 per quintal, which will cover the purchase of up to 1.30 lakh tonnes of produce. The committee will decide on the sale price fixed under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Horticulture and Cooperation, Government of Karnataka.

However, the maximum difference between the MDC and the selling price will be up to 25% of the MDC. It means that the state and center together will pay only 25% of ₹1,750, which is ₹4,375 per tonne and finally ₹4.37 per kg for Totapuri mangoes.

The price has angered farmers, who say they cannot get back the money they spent on cultivation.

Neelataru Chinappa Reddy, president of Kolar District Mango Growers’ Welfare Association, said, “The state and center have served water instead of food to a hungry farmer. I urge the state and union governments to reconsider the MIP and give us what we have been asking for. We have been demanding ₹10 per kg only for the Totapuri variety per kg and no other mangoes should be given up. They should not be given up to us. ₹8,000 per tonne Last year we got ₹ 4.20 per kg from the state and the Center for Totapuri.

Mr. Reddy added, “We will soon submit another memorandum to the state government and the Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Limited.”

In view of the loss of farmers growing Totapuri mangoes this year, the state government has recommended ₹ 17.50 per kg as cultivation cost, which is ₹ 4.37 per kg as MSP for this variety only and sent the proposal to the Union government.

Meanwhile, the Union Government has issued guidelines to the State Government for the implementation of the MIP. The underprice payment scheme will remain operational for one month during the marketing season. Farmers seeking the benefits will have to sell their produce through the notified markets of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in the state.

Government of Karnataka has been directed to publish the list of authorized traders dealing in Totapuri mangoes under MIS. Compensation for price losses will be transferred directly to eligible farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.

Published – 25 June 2026 23:30 IST