Karnataka’s mango production has dropped by 5 million tonnes this year due to climatic extremes
Karnataka, which produced around 15 million tonnes of mangoes in recent years, is staring at a decline of 5 million tonnes this year, according to the Horticulture Department, bringing the total down to 10 million tonnes. This led to heavy losses for farmers, with key mango growing areas such as Kolar, Ramanagara, Chickballapur and surrounding areas being the worst affected.
Meanwhile, horticulture department officials and Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation CEO TR Vedamurthy attributed the low yield of the seasonal fruit to climate change and its impact.
Mr. Vedamurthy said, “Mango is grown in around 1.45 lakh hectares in Karnataka. The yield has been low this season due to extreme weather conditions. The delay in the flowering process has led to mango harvest at different stages across the regions. In the regions around Kolar, Bengaluru South and Chickballapur, the harvest which usually starts in early May still results in mango harvest in early May. Lalbagh, which is now will be held from June 4th instead of May.”
According to a study by the Karnataka State Mango Development Board, a prolonged cold spell prevailed in several mango growing areas during the flowering season. Night temperatures remained below 10 °C for longer periods, which adversely affected flower development. As a result, the proportion of hermaphrodite flowers was significantly reduced, resulting in poor fruit set of less than 20%.
Neelaturu Chinappa Reddy, president, Karnataka State Mango Growers Welfare Association, Kolar, pointed out that farmers in Kolar have suffered huge losses this year due to extremely high temperatures, sudden hailstorms and heavy rains, saying, “High temperatures and low humidity have affected the quality of mangoes this year. Farmers have suffered losses in mango and sweet fruit yields usually over 70% this year. This is not the case this year, another challenge was thrips, which attacks trees and feeds on leaves, flowers and fruit.”
Based on size and end use, mangoes are generally divided into two categories – juice/pulp varieties and table fruits. Most farmers grow juice and pulp varieties like Thothapuri and Sendura which offer higher yields per acre compared to table varieties like Mallika, Dasheri, Malgoba and Amrapali,” he said.
Mr. Chinnappa further emphasized that mango molasses are useful for farmers as they can sell mangoes directly to customers without any middleman intervention.
SV Hittalamani, noted horticulturist and former Additional Director (Fruits) of the Karnataka Horticulture Department said, “Mango is a tropical and subtropical crop that can be grown in humid regions like the Western Ghats and coastal Karnataka as well as arid regions like North Karnataka. However, cultivation in Kolarpur and Ramanagaranes has always been risky. During the November-December flowering season, these areas are often hit by cyclones, leading to pest attacks that they damage flowers, leading to yield loss and fruit delay.
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Mango and jackfruit mela on June 4
The Department of Horticulture and the Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Limited are jointly organizing the Mango and Jackfruit Mela at the Lalbagh Botanical Garden in Bengaluru from June 4 to 30.
The event will showcase nearly 65 varieties of mango and 15 varieties of jackfruit. Besides, about 18 to 20 varieties of mangoes like Badami, Raspuri, Mallika, Sendura, Himam Pasand, Kesar, Sugar Baby, Dasheri, Baneshan, Mulgoa, Kalapahad, Himayat, Totapuri, Ratnagiri Alphonso, Neelum, like Amrapali and other local varieties like Rudavartrirakshi as well as seven local varieties of Shijackafrushi. Ekadasha, Tubagere, Lalbagh Madhura, Surya and Chandra are available for sale.
A total of 168 stalls for mango growers and 17 stalls for jackfruit growers are earmarked in the mela.
During the mango mela organized at Cubbon Park from May 8 to May 17, farmers sold around 55 to 57 tonnes of mangoes.
Published – 01 Jun 2026 23:20 IST