Centre announces support for mango under Market Intervention Scheme

In a relief for mango farmers in Karnataka, the Centre has announced a market intervention price for the produce at ₹1,616 a quintal under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for 2025-26.

According to a letter by the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy, the Centre has approved the market intervention price for a quantity of up to 2.5 lakh tonnes of mango.

Mr. Kumaraswamy had written to the Agriculture Minister earlier in the day, drawing his attention to the urgent need for the Centre’s intervention to support mango growers in the south Karnataka region through the provision of the minimum support price (MSP) and procurement assistance.

Last week, the Karnataka Cabinet discussed the financial crisis faced by mango growers following a crash in prices in the market, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy to hold talks with Mr. Chouhan to seek compensation.

A few days ago, Mr. Siddaramaiah appealed to the Centre to take urgent steps to help mango farmers in the State. In a letter to Mr. Chouhan, Mr. Siddaramaiah requested the Centre to start a price deficiency payment and market intervention scheme and start immediate procurement though Central agencies such as National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. and National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation Of India Ltd. to support farmers and stop further distress in rural areas.

Two days ago, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Chouhan.

Welcoming the announcement, Neelaturu Chinnappa Reddy, president of the Kolar District Mango Growers’ Association, said, “We are very happy with the decision.” He urged both Centre and State governments to support farmers.