Massive protests erupted in Srinivaspura, Kolar district—dubbed India’s Mango Capital—after mango prices plummeted drastically, leaving farmers devastated. Located 90 km from Bengaluru, the region witnessed agitated growers dumping quintals of mangoes on roads, demanding a minimum support price (MSP) and the removal of Andhra Pradesh’s trade ban on Karnataka mangoes.
Weather fluctuations had already dented the season—delayed flowering, scorching heat, and an early monsoon battered the yield. Now, the price crash has compounded farmers’ woes. “We’ve lost everything from bloom to market,” said Ravishankar Reddy, a distressed grower.
Srinivaspura alone cultivates over 35 mango varieties across 45,000 hectares, supplying half of Karnataka’s mangoes. This year, prices dropped to ₹3,000–₹4,000 per tonne, compared to the usual ₹10,000–₹12,000. In retail, mangoes are being sold at just ₹8–₹10 per kg.
With 40% of the harvest still pending, farmers fear even greater losses. The refusal of Andhra’s border districts to accept Karnataka mangoes worsened the situation. In protest, the Srinivaspur Mango Growers Association called for a total shutdown on Wednesday, which saw complete support.
Poor demand from pulp industries in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu—blamed on unused stocks from last year and export challenges due to high air cargo costs—has left mango markets stagnant.
Kolar’s Deputy Commissioner MR Ravi and MP Muniswamy have assured farmers of intervention. Horticulture Minister SS Mallikarjun confirmed discussions with the CM to raise the MSP from ₹3 to ₹4–₹5 per kg, pending financial clearance.
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