Bengaluru farmers turn to pomegranate; production sees sharp rise amidst demand in market
Farmers in Bengaluru are increasingly shifting to pomegranate cultivation due to high market demand and favorable soil conditions. Data from the Horticulture Department shows a significant surge in both the area of cultivation and total production in the region.
Why it matters
This shift highlights a changing agricultural landscape in Karnataka, potentially impacting regional supply chains and farmer income.
With the growing demand for pomegranates among consumers in the market and good prices, farmers in Bengaluru have started growing the fruit in large numbers now.
At present, first-grade or premium quality of one kg pomegranate can easily fetch ₹250 to ₹300 in the market. The second-grade ones are also priced in decent range of ₹150 to ₹170 per kg.
Earlier, pomegranate was limited to growing in mostly North Karnataka districts including Bagalkot, Vijayapura and Koppal districts. Farmers in Bengaluru said that these districts are still known as premier pomegranate growing regions in Karnataka because of the semi-arid weather and quality of soil present in these regions.
Now, areas like Nelamangala, Yelahanka, Rajanukunte, Chickballapur have become hubs of pomegranate cultivation. The fruit grown in Karnataka is Bagwa.
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