Wed May 21 12:38:37 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text followed by a news article rewrite:

**Summary:**

Mango farmers in the Kolar and Ramanagara districts of Karnataka are facing a crisis. A combination of a naturally lower yield year, and infestation of hoppers and thrips, has drastically reduced the quality of their mangoes. As a result, they are selling their produce at drastically low prices (₹7-₹25 per kg) at the *mandis*, despite retail prices in Bengaluru remaining high (₹35-₹125 per kg). Farmers are struggling, having last seen such low prices in 2018, and are seeking government support and crop insurance. The Horticulture Department is investigating, but insurance claims depend on specific weather parameters.

**News Article:**

**Karnataka Mango Farmers Face Crisis as Infestation Drives Prices Down**

**Bengaluru, May 21, 2025** – Mango farmers in the key growing regions of Kolar and Ramanagara are facing a dire situation as widespread infestation and a naturally lower yield have sent prices plummeting, even as consumers in Bengaluru continue to pay high prices for the fruit.

Farmers are reporting that hoppers and thrips are decimating their crops, leading to blackened, unsellable mangoes. Dharanish Kumar, President of the Kanakapura and Channapatna Mango Growers’ Association, stated that they are forced to sell high-quality badami (alphonso) mangoes for just ₹27 per kg and sendhoora for a mere ₹7-8 per kg at the *mandis*. These prices are drastically lower than retail prices in Bengaluru, where the same varieties are selling for between ₹80 and ₹125 per kg.

“The quality of mangoes has taken a huge hit,” said Neelaturu Chinnappa Reddy, President of the Kolar District Mango Growers’ Association. “We had only seen about 20% of fruit formation this time, and now even that is affected by thrips and hoppers. We have nothing left to even export this time.”

Farmers report they haven’t seen prices this low since 2018 and are requesting government intervention and crop insurance. They’ve approached authorities for inspections to file crop insurance claims.

The Horticulture Department has acknowledged the crisis and dispatched a team to Kolar for inspection. “We are waiting to see what the team says, and, in the meantime, we will also be assessing the severity of the situation,” said Ramesh D.S., director, Horticulture Department.

The price disparity highlights the markup between farmgate prices and retail costs, with wholesale sellers citing grading, perishability, and multiple intermediaries as reasons for the higher prices faced by consumers. While rain may impact the market this week, farmers hope for more stable weather conditions. The situation leaves farmers concerned about their livelihoods as they wait for possible government assistance.

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