Kolar, 30 April

Heavy rains accompanied by hailstorms in parts of Kolar district on Wednesday caused widespread damage to mango crops.

Farmers fear the untimely weather will not only affect yields but also reduce market arrivals in the coming weeks, potentially leading to higher retail prices. “The fruits had just started reaching the market. This damage is bound to affect supply,” said HS Ramaraj, a mango grower from Holur.

Preliminary estimates from the Horticulture Department indicate that mango orchards spread across nearly 600 hectares have suffered damage, mainly in Srinivasapur and Malur taluks, which are among the district’s key mango-growing regions.s

Deputy Director of Horticulture Kumaraswamy said that standing crops in nearly 570 hectares across Nelavanki, Ronur and Kasaba areas of Srinivasapur taluk were affected by hailstones. In Malur taluk, mango crops in around 30 hectares have also been damaged.

“The exact crop loss and financial impact will be assessed after a joint survey by officials from the Revenue and Horticulture Departments,” he said.

He added that farmers who have insured their crops would receive compensation under crop insurance schemes, while uninsured growers would be eligible for relief as per SDRF and NDRF guidelines following the official assessment.

Kolar district is one of Karnataka’s leading mango-producing belts, with more than 50,000 hectares under cultivation. Nearly 1 lakh people depend directly or indirectly on mango farming, including cultivation, trading and allied activities.

Srinivasapur taluk alone accounts for nearly 35,000 hectares — around 70 per cent of the district’s total mango cultivation — making it the heart of Kolar’s mango economy.

Meanwhile, Kolar District Mango Growers’ Association President Chinnappa Reddy has appealed to the government to complete the survey quickly and release compensation without delay.