Deve Gowda Praises PM Modi: Says He Has Broken the Myth That Only Congress Could Keep India United, Stable
New Delhi/Bengaluru: Former Prime Minister and Rajya Sabha MP H.D. Deve Gowda has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent intervention from the Central Government to support distressed mango farmers in Karnataka, following a drastic fall in prices this season.
In his letter dated June 22, 2025, Gowda urged the Centre to initiate Price Deficiency Payment (PDP) and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) measures through NAFED and NCCF to immediately procure mangoes and stabilize the collapsing market.
He highlighted that Karnataka, the largest mango-producing state in India, has witnessed over 30% yield loss this year due to erratic weather. Mangoes are cultivated over 1.39 lakh hectares across districts like Bengaluru Rural, Urban, Chikkaballapura, Kolar, and Ramanagara, with a seasonal output of 8–10 lakh tonnes.
Due to heavy arrivals and market volatility, mango prices have nosedived from ₹12,000 per quintal to as low as ₹3,000, while the average cultivation cost is over ₹5,466 per quintal. Gowda said this has forced small and marginal farmers into debt, with many unable to recover basic production costs — triggering widespread protests.
He also raised concerns over mango imports from Andhra Pradesh’s Totapuri belt, which are entering Karnataka’s border markets in Chittoor, disrupting supply chains and further hurting local growers.
“The Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Karnataka have already asked Andhra Pradesh to revoke this ban. The state government has also requested procurement support via Central agencies like NAFED,” the letter states.
Gowda requested direct procurement from farmers and FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations) to ensure fair pricing, asserting that immediate central action is crucial to alleviate rural distress and prevent further economic fallout.
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