The Agriculture Ministry announced that under the MIS, a maximum of 2.5 lakh metric tonnes of mangoes will be procured at a market intervention price of ₹1,616 per quintal.
Published Jun 25, 2025 | 9:41 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 25, 2025 | 9:41 AM
Fresh large Totapuri mangoes. (iStock)
Synopsis: The Union government approved a Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for mango farmers in Karnataka for the 2025–26 marketing season. HD Kumaraswamy had sought an intervention, claiming that between the months of May and June this year, a sudden influx of mangoes in the market led to severe price fluctuations.
In a significant relief for mango farmers in South Karnataka, the Union government on Monday, 24 June, approved a Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for the 2025–26 marketing season.
The decision follows a letter from Union Minister and former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, seeking urgent support for struggling mango growers in the region. Former prime minister HD Deve Gowda had also written to Chouhan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the issue.
Responding positively on the same day, the Agriculture Ministry announced that under the MIS, a maximum of 2.5 lakh metric tonnes of mangoes will be procured at a market intervention price (MIP) of ₹1,616 per quintal.
The move aims to stabilise prices and ensure fair returns to farmers amid market fluctuations. Following the implementation of the MIS, Kumaraswamy took to X to thank the Union Agriculture Minister.
“My heartfelt thanks to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi avaru for the unwavering and farmer-centric commitment of his government, which has swiftly come to the aid of Karnataka’s mango growers,” he said.
“I express my gratitude, on behalf of Karnataka’s mango farmers, to Union Agriculture Minister Shri @ChouhanShivraj avaru for promptly announcing a support price under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), right after I submitted a request in light of the severe distress caused by the price crash.”
“This intervention once again proves that under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi avaru, farmers can always count on assured and fair pricing for their produce,” he added.
My heartfelt thanks to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi avaru for the unwavering and farmer-centric commitment of his government, which has swiftly come to the aid of Karnataka’s mango growers. 🙏
I express my gratitude, on behalf of Karnataka’s mango farmers, to Union… pic.twitter.com/BhwBg4kaPK
— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | H.D.Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) June 24, 2025
In his letter, HD Kumaraswamy had stated how important mango was as a horticultural crop in Karnataka and that it is cultivated across approximately 1.39 lakh hectares, particularly in the districts of Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban, Chikkaballapura, Kolar, and Ramanagara.
“During the Rabi season, the state usually records an estimated production of 8-10 lakh tonnes. However, due to adverse weather conditions and disease outbreaks, farmers report that this year’s yield has dropped to less than 30%,” he wrote.
However, he claimed that between the months of May and June this year, a sudden influx of mangoes in the market led to severe price fluctuations. “Prices plummeted from ₹12,000 per quintal to ₹3,000 per quintal, while the average cost of cultivation remains at ₹5,466 per quintal. This drastic drop has caused significant financial distress, particularly among small and marginal farmers, many of whom are unable to recover even their input costs, resulting in widespread protests,” he said.
He also delved into the recent issue where the government of Andhra Pradesh imposed a ban on the entry of Totapuri mangoes into Chittoor district, which borders Karnataka. “This disruption in the supply chain has increased the risk of post-harvest losses for growers in border areas and has triggered tensions and protests, especially in Kolar and Chikkaballapura districts.”
Kumaraswamy stated that the Karnataka chief minister and the Chief Secretary have formally urged the Andhra Pradesh government to revoke this ban at the earliest. “Concurrently, the Government of Karnataka has appealed to the Central Government to initiate procurement through central agencies such as NAFED and NCCF to mitigate rural distress,” he said.
The Union minister had urged the Union government to direct National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) to begin procurement of mangoes under the Price Deficiency Payment (PDP) and MIS stating, “This support, through direct purchases from farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), would help stabilize prices and ensure that farmers receive fair compensation for their produce.”
The government implements MIS the for procurement of agricultural and horticultural commodities, which are perishable and are not covered under the Price Support Scheme (PSS).
The scheme is implemented at the request of a State/Union Territory government, which is ready to bear 50 percent of the loss, if any, incurred on its implementation. Under the scheme, in accordance with MIS guidelines, a pre-determined quantity at the fixed MIP is procured by the agencies designated by the State Government for a fixed period or till the prices are stabilised above the MIP, whichever is earlier.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
