Growing losses are forcing farmers in Karnataka’s Kolar district to cut down mango trees

Mango trees are being felled in Kolar district. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

After suffering huge losses in the last three years, farmers in Kolar district have started felling old and new mango trees in their agricultural lands.

Farmers said that even though they suffered losses in mango cultivation on the one hand, they were not able to grow other crops along with the mango trees as sunlight does not reach the crops due to shade. So they can’t diversify either.

The land of mangoes

Kolar district accounts for approximately 60% of the total mango cultivation in the state. Around 42,000 to 45,000 hectares are devoted to mango cultivation alone.

TV Ramesh, a mango farmer said, “I have cut down mango trees in two and a half acres of my farm. Like me there are many farmers who have done the same in their two to five acres of land. This year I have prepared to grow ragi. In the last two years, I have incurred huge losses due to the cultivation of mango varieties, especially when I will have profits to grow Totapuri. If I make a profit, I will make a profit. continue to grow mangoes for one more year, then I will either have to stop farming and sell the land, or end my life.’

Murali Thotli, who cut down the trees planted by his father on his four-and-a-half-acre farm land, said, “I have grown mixed varieties of mangoes including Benisha and Totapuri and both have yielded only losses. While the price of Totapuri is only ₹ 3 per kg, the yield of Benisha is not of good quality. The size of each Benisha fruit is around 3g to 0g, which is the usual mango. 500 grams, but this time it is only 100 to 200 grams, it could be due to sudden rains and changes in weather and diseases that affected the crop,” Murali said.

He also added that either he will grow ragi and if good water is available then he will grow vegetables like tomato, cabbage, brinjal and others.

He said, “Mango trees are huge and when we try to grow other crops with them, the sunlight does not reach those crops. Also, if the mangoes catch diseases, they easily spread to other crops during cultivation. Therefore, mixed farming is not possible here.”

Mr. Ramesh noted that farmers in Sugatur village, Madanahalli, Srinivasapura taluk, Holur Hobli and other places have also started felling mango trees. “Trees on at least 20 acres of farmland are being cleared,” he said.

Mango tree logs are loaded onto a tractor in Karnataka’s Kolar district. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Logs sent to brickyards

Farmers send the wooden trunks of these trees to brick-making units in and around Bengaluru. “This wood is not strong enough to make furniture or other by-products. So farmers sell it to brick factories where they use the wood to burn bricks. Some farmers gave these wood logs for free,” he added.

Likely impact next year

SR Kumara Swamy, deputy director of horticulture department, Kolar district, expressed disappointment over farmers cutting down hundreds of mango trees.

“The state government has tried to provide all kinds of help to the farmers. We have urged the center to provide support as per their demands. I understand the distress caused by the losses. But cutting trees cannot be the solution to this problem. What if the price of these mangoes increases next year, it depends on the quantity, quality and demand?” he asked.

Mr. Swamy also pointed out that with many farmers, especially in Kolar district, cutting down trees, mango production may also decrease in the state next year.

Published – 27 July 2026 20:00 IST