Centre Approves Compensation for Karnataka Mango Farmers Amid Falling Prices, Tamil Nadu Also Seeks Relief

The Central government has approved compensation under the ‘Price Deficiency Payment Scheme’ (PDPS) for mango farmers from Karnataka, days after Union Minister Prahlad Joshi raised the issue with Agriculture Minister Shiraj Chouhan.

Providing a major relief to mango farmers in Karnataka struggling with falling prices, the Central and Karnataka governments have agreed to jointly compensate farmers for the price difference in mango sales, reported NDTV.

“Deeply grateful to Shri @Chouhan Shivraj ji, Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, for taking action on my request and ensuring fair compensation for mango farmers in Karnataka. Your proactive efforts, along with the visionary leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodiji, are a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of our farmers. Your support will go a long way in helping our farmers during these challenging times,” Mr Joshi wrote on X, sharing the letter he wrote on June 9.

The unseasonal rains and erratic weather patterns have affected the mango crop, putting farmers under considerable financial stress, said Mr Joshi in his June 9 letter to Mr Chouhan.

“Due to the heavy rainfall and disrupted market conditions, mango prices in Karnataka have dropped sharply. In this regard, I urge you to kindly consider providing relief to the affected mango farmers by ensuring a Fair and Remunerative Price for their produce. This measure would offer much-needed support and significant benefit to farmers across the state,” Mr Joshi asserted in his letter.

Responding to him on June, Mr Chouhan said that “under Market Intervention Scheme on mango for the marketing year 2025-26 in Karnataka the maximum quantity of 2,50,000 metric tonnes at the rate of Rs 1616 quintal” has been approved.

“I hope that this will provide relief and will address the genuine concern raised by you for welfare of mango farmers of Karnataka,” Mr Chouhan said in his letter.

On June 13, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had also urged Shivraj Singh Chouhan for urgent 'Price Deficiency Payment' and 'Market Intervention Scheme' for mango farmers in the state.

Farmers Hit Hard in Other States

Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, mango growers are also seeking relief. According to The New Indian Express, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on June 24, sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help the state’s mango farmers, who are affected by the steep fall in prices and lack of demand from pulp-making industries.

Stalin requested the union government to implement the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) under PM-AASHA (Farmer Income Protection Scheme) for mangoes. The losses faced by farmers can be compensated with funds equally shared by the centre and the state, the CM said.

In a letter written to the PM and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Stalin said the state government has estimated that Rs 62.93 crore will be required to compensate farmers by paying them Rs 2,766 for each tonne of mangoes.

A bumper Totapuri harvest has left farmers in Andhra Pradesh reeling from similar stress, with those in the districts of Chittoor and Nellore experiencing a price crash as excess stock, unseasonal rains and delayed procurement push prices well below the declared MSP, reported The New Indian Express. The state government had declared a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 12 per kg for Totapuri mangoes along with a Rs 4/kg subsidy to stabilize incomes.