Failure to enhance the approved quantity could lead to widespread dissatisfaction among farmers and trigger protests and law-and-order issues in major mango-growing districts of the State, says the department.
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Following the protest by Totapuri mango farmers in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Kolar district on July 2, the State Cooperation Department has written to the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare seeking an expansion of the approved quantity under the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) for Totapuri mangoes. The maximum quantity covered under the scheme currently is limited to 1.30 lakh metric tonnes.
Now, in its letter, the Cooperation Department said, “More than 12,000 farmers have registered under the scheme since June 26, 2026, covering the entire Government of India-approved quantity of 1.30 lakh metric tonnes and exhausting 100% of the approved quantity within just four days of the commencement of farmer registration. In view of the overwhelming response from farmers and to ensure that all remaining eligible Totapuri mango growers are covered under the scheme, it is requested that the quantity approved under the PDPS be enhanced from 1.30 lakh metric tonnes to 5.20 lakh metric tonnes.”
The department further said that failure to enhance the approved quantity could lead to widespread dissatisfaction among farmers and trigger protests and law-and-order issues in major mango-growing districts of the State.
S. R. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Director, Horticulture Department, Kolar district, said, “This year, the Totapuri mango yield has been better than last year. As per the latest figures, around 12,700 farmers have registered under the support price scheme. Since the approved quantity has been exhausted, registrations have been stopped. Last year, nearly 15,000 farmers had registered and received the support price, and procurement touched a maximum of 1.015 lakh metric tonnes.”
Neelatur Chinnappa Reddy, Mango Growers Welfare Association, Kolar district, said, “We are aware that the Cooperation Department Secretary has written a letter to the Department of Agriculture. But we have also met H.D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries and requested him to write a letter to the Union Agriculture Minister requesting them to expand the quantity under PDPS.”
He said, “This year, due to the seasonal glut and subdued market demand, the prevailing market prices have fallen significantly below recovery levels. This has caused severe financial distress among mango growers. As a result, there has been an overwhelming response from farmers seeking registration under the PDPS. A large number of eligible Totapuri mango growers are still awaiting registration and would be deprived of the benefits of the scheme if the approved quantity is not enhanced.”
Published – July 03, 2026 09:35 pm IST
