Mounting losses force farmers in Karnataka’s Kolar district to chop down mango trees

Following huge losses incurred from the past three years, farmers in Kolar district have started chopping down old and new mango trees on their farmlands.

The farmers said that while they incurred losses growing mangoes on the one hand, they were unable to cultivate other crops along with mango trees as the sunlight does not reach the crops due to shade. Thus, they are unable to diversify as well.

Land of mangoes

Kolar district accounts for around 60% of the State’s total mango cultivation. Around 42,000 to 45,000 hectares here is dedicated only for mango cultivation.

T.V. Ramesh, a mango farmer, said, “I have chopped down mango trees in two-and-a-half-acre of my farm. Like me, there are many farmers who did the same on their two to five acres of land. I have made preparations to cultivate ragi this year. In the last two years, I have incurred huge losses because of growing varieties of mango, especially Totapuri. Forget earning profits, I will be happy if I get money spent on cultivation. If I continue to grow mangoes for one more year, then I will have to either stop farming and sell the land or end my life.”

Murali Thotli, who cut down trees that were planted by his father in four-and-a-half-acre farmland, said, “I had cultivated mixed mango varieties including Benisha and Totapuri and both have brought only losses. While Totapuri’s price is only ₹3 per kg, the yield of Benisha is not of good quality. The size of Benisha mango is smaller than usual, each fruit weighs around 300 gms to 500 gms. But this time, it is only 100 gms to 200 gms. It might be due to abrupt rains and changes in the weather and diseases that affected the crop,” Mr. Murali said.

He also added that he would either cultivate ragi and if good water was available, then he would cultivate vegetables like tomato, cabbage, brinjal and others.

He said, “Mango trees are huge and when we try to cultivate other crops along with them, sunlight doesn’t reach these crops. In addition to this, if mango trees catch diseases, it was easily transferred to other crops during cultivation. Hence, mixed farming is not possible here.”

Mr. Ramesh noted that the farmers in Sugatur village, Madanahalli, Srinivasapura taluk, Holur Hobli, and other places have also started cutting down mango trees. “Trees in at least 20 acres of farmland are being done away with,” he said.

The logs of mango trees being loaded onto a tractor, in Kolar district of Karnataka.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Logs sent to brick factories

Farmers are sending wooden logs of these trees to brick manufacturing units in and around Bengaluru. “This wood isn’t so strong that it can be used to make furniture or other byproducts. Hence, farmers are selling them to brick manufacturing factories where they use this wood for burning bricks. Some farmers have given these wooden logs for free,” he added.

Likely impact next year

S.R. Kumara Swamy, Deputy Director of Horticulture Department, Kolar district, expressed disappointment over farmers chopping down hundreds of mango trees.

“The State government has tried to provide all sorts of assistance to the farmers. We urged the Centre to give support price as demanded by them. I understand the distress due to losses. But chopping down the trees cannot be the solution to this problem. Depending on the quantity, quality and demand, what if the price of these mangoes increase next year?” he asked.

Mr. Swamy also highlighted that with many farmers especially in Kolar district chopping down trees, the mango produce might also decrease in the State next year.