Mango growers in Karnataka, India, face challenges due to adverse weather conditions. Despite a better yield compared to the previous year, many crops are damaged, leading to financial difficulties. Ajith Raj, a farmer in Gaurbidanur, noted, "This year, the mango buds were damaged due to the harsh winter heat in January and February. And when it started getting better, the sudden rain damaged the crops further."
Yeshwanth, a farmer from Kolar, observed the unpredictability of mango farming, stating, "It's always unpredictable. But the backlash every time affects financial stability. Especially small-scale farmers who depend entirely on their mango yield." Some farmers adapt by cultivating tomatoes and beans to mitigate mango yield fluctuations. Yeshwanth remarked, "Mango farming is like gambling."
Small-scale farmers, according to Bhaskar Reddy from Kolar, face more challenges, as economic instability prevents them from shifting crops, which requires significant investment. "Small-scale farmers can't leave farming because that's the only job they know," he shared.
Farmers express concerns about exploitation by 'mango mandis'. Bhaskar noted, "The mandiwalas buy from us in bulk at a cheaper price and sell it to the customers at a much higher price." This situation drives some farmers to switch to Totapuri mangoes for direct sales to juice factories.
Yeshwanth called for government intervention, advocating for a minimum price for mangoes. Krishna Sagar Reddy highlighted the benefits of selling directly through government portals. Farmers also request increased insurance coverage, as current payouts often fall short of compensating for losses.
Source: New Indian Express