Mango growers in Karnataka’s Kolar district staged a district-wide bandh to push for a fair support price for mangoes due to a significant drop in market rates. The growers, led by the Mango Growers’ Association, protested against the low market prices, which are causing substantial losses to farmers. They are urging the government to set a minimum support price of Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per tonne to protect their interests.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy assured that the issue would be prioritized by the Centre in response to the protests. The farmers highlighted that the current market prices of mangoes, ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 per tonne, are well below production costs, leading to their demand for a higher support price.
The protests, which included road blockades and dumping of mangoes on streets, disrupted normal life in parts of the district. The bandh affected RTC bus services in certain areas, with Srinivaspur town witnessing a near-complete shutdown in solidarity with the growers.
Farmers emphasized that they faced similar losses in the previous season, attributing the recurring situation to the government’s inaction in the market. They called upon both the state and Central governments to intervene and implement immediate measures to ensure better prices for their produce.
Union Minister Kumaraswamy mentioned that he had already raised the concerns with the Centre, assuring the growers of forthcoming assistance akin to the previous season. Efforts are underway to secure a support price for mango growers, with expectations of an announcement once the Union Agriculture Minister returns to New Delhi.
