Bengaluru: At a time when thousands of mango growers in Karnataka are grappling with severe financial distress due to a sharp fall in market prices and adverse weather conditions, the Union Government has stepped in with a major relief package under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS). The Centre has approved financial assistance of ₹1,750 per quintal for 1.30 lakh metric tonnes of Totapuri mangoes, a move expected to provide immediate support to farmers facing losses during the ongoing mango season.
The decision comes as a significant lifeline for growers across major mango-producing districts of Karnataka, where farmers have been expressing concern over declining prices despite reduced production this year. With Totapuri mango arrivals increasing in markets and prices remaining under pressure, growers had sought urgent government intervention to prevent distress sales.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy confirmed that the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare had approved the proposal following representations made on behalf of Karnataka’s mango farmers. He thanked Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for responding promptly to the concerns raised by growers and extending support at a crucial juncture.
According to Kumaraswamy, the state’s mango farmers were facing multiple challenges, including erratic weather patterns, reduced yields and a steep decline in market prices. He said he had written to the Agriculture Minister on June 17 seeking immediate assistance and later met him personally in New Delhi to explain the difficulties being faced by farmers.
“The Centre has once again demonstrated its commitment to protecting the interests of farmers during times of crisis. The financial assistance approved under the Market Intervention Scheme will provide much-needed relief to thousands of mango growers who were worried about mounting losses,” Kumaraswamy said.
The announcement has been welcomed by farming communities as well as political leaders across Karnataka. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the approval reflects the Centre’s proactive approach towards safeguarding the livelihoods of horticulture farmers affected by market fluctuations.
Joshi noted that he had also urged the Union Agriculture Ministry to intervene and support Totapuri growers facing distress. He said the financial assistance would strengthen the economic stability of farming families and boost confidence among growers.
The Market Intervention Scheme is one of the key support mechanisms available to farmers cultivating perishable agricultural and horticultural commodities that are not covered under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime. The scheme is activated when market prices fall sharply, threatening farmers with heavy losses.
Under MIS, the government can either procure produce directly or provide financial compensation to offset losses arising from price crashes. The objective is to ensure that farmers receive remunerative returns and are protected from sudden market shocks.
Agriculture experts point out that such interventions become especially important for crops like mangoes, where prices can fluctuate significantly depending on production levels, weather conditions, export demand and market arrivals. Since mangoes are highly perishable, farmers often have little bargaining power when prices collapse.
This year’s mango season in Karnataka has been marked by uncertainty. Unseasonal weather and climatic variations affected flowering and fruit development in several regions, resulting in lower production. Officials estimate that the state’s total mango output this year will be between 7 and 8 lakh tonnes, nearly 40 per cent lower than last year’s production.
Despite the decline in overall output, growers feared that increasing arrivals of Totapuri mangoes could trigger a price crash. Totapuri is one of Karnataka’s most important commercial mango varieties and is extensively used in processing industries for pulp and juice production. Current estimates suggest that 4 to 5 lakh tonnes of Totapuri mangoes may be produced in the state this season.
Farmer organisations had repeatedly appealed for intervention, arguing that production costs had increased while market prices remained unsustainably low. Many growers warned that without government support, they would be forced to sell their produce at a loss.
The Centre’s decision to extend assistance under MIS is therefore being viewed as a timely intervention aimed at preventing widespread distress among mango growers. The move is also being cited as an example of how government support mechanisms can help protect farmers from the combined impact of market volatility and climate-related challenges.
With the approval now in place, growers are hopeful that the financial assistance will cushion them against losses and ensure better returns for their produce. Agricultural stakeholders believe the measure will not only provide immediate relief but also reinforce confidence among farmers that government support will be available during periods of economic hardship.
As Karnataka’s Totapuri harvest enters its peak marketing phase, the Union Government’s intervention is expected to play a crucial role in stabilising farmer incomes and preventing further distress in one of the state’s most important horticulture sectors.
