The mango season has begun in Karnataka with early varieties like Sindhura, Badami, and Kapuri arriving in local markets. However, the 2025 harvest is proving to be a mixed bag—while quality is high, yields are lower than expected due to erratic flowering, high temperatures, and disease outbreaks.
Growers had anticipated a strong "on-year" for mango production, but estimates now point to a total yield of just 8–10 lakh metric tons, down from the usual 12–15 lakh tons. Karnataka has around 1.5 lakh hectares under mango cultivation and over 2.8 lakh mango farmers. Southern districts such as Kolar, Ramanagara, Chikkaballapur, and Tumakuru produce about 60% of the state's mangoes, while the rest comes from the northern regions.
In Ramanagara, early-season mangoes have hit the market, but Kolar, responsible for nearly two-thirds of the state's production, is lagging due to delayed flowering. Despite medium yield expectations, officials say imports won't be necessary as local production is just enough to meet domestic demand.
CG Nagaraju, Managing Director of the Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Ltd (KSMDMCL), noted that early flowering led to a promising start, but the second round in February was disrupted by heat and sudden rain. "The quality is better this year due to lower pest incidence, but the overall yield is average," he said, adding that Karnataka's main market supply will begin by June.
Farmers, however, report heavier losses. Bashir Ahmed, a mango farmer in Srinivaspur, Kolar district, said he lost 10% of his crop to rain and another 30% to thrips disease. "An acre usually yields two to three tons, but this year it's barely one ton," he said.
N Chinnappa Reddy, president of the Kolar District Mango Growers Association, estimated a 35–40% decline in yield. "Flowering was delayed until March in many areas, and the thrips outbreak worsened conditions. We expected 10 lakh tons but might only reach 5 lakh tons from Kolar's 32,000 acres," he explained. A senior scientist from the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research warned that continued high temperatures or May rains could cause further fruit drop.
To support farmers and reduce post-harvest losses, KSMDMCL has reintroduced the Mango Post service in collaboration with India Post. The initiative allows farmers to sell directly to consumers through the postal network. Additionally, the corporation has launched online mango sales via the Karsiri portal, offering varieties like Alphonso and Kesar. Farmers handle packing and dispatch, ensuring fresher produce and better earnings through reduced middleman involvement.
Source: The Indian Express
Source: The Times of India