Agriculture in Kolar District: Asia's largest tomato market
Kolar is one of Karnataka's notable agricultural districts, best known for Asia's largest tomato market. Its farmland is fed by Palar (seasonal) and sits on predominantly red loam soil, a combination that favours tomato, mango, ragi. Unlike a generic state average, Kolar's cropping is shaped by this specific soil-and-water mix, which is why the crops and schemes below are weighted to what actually grows and sells here.
What Grows Best in Kolar
The district's main crops are Tomato, Mango, Ragi (Finger Millet), vegetables. tomato leads the local economy, so Kolar farmers should track the Tomato rate closely and plan sowing, inputs and storage around it. The red loam soil here supports a mix of cereals and cash crops.
Crop Calendar for Kolar (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Kolar's main crops, here is when to sow and harvest locally. Plan inputs, labour and credit around these windows:
| Crop | Season & Window | All-India rate (3 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🍅 Tomato | Year-round with peaks Jun-Aug | ₹3,000/qtl |
| 🥭 Mango | Summer (main harvest: Apr-Jun) | ₹9,800/qtl |
| 🌾 Ragi (Finger Millet) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹2,776/qtl |
| vegetables | Local seasonal crop | - |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Kolar
With red loam soil and water from the Palar (seasonal), the priority for Kolar farmers is matching irrigation to the crop. Drip and sprinkler subsidies and a solar pump can cut water and power costs significantly. A free soil health card tells you exactly which nutrients your plot needs.
Best Way to Sell tomato from Kolar
Since tomato is central to Kolar, time your sale using the live tomato rate. Sell at Kolar Tomato Market and compare with neighbouring mandis. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Kolar.
Mandi Prices in Kolar
These are the crops actually trading in Kolar's markets (Srinivasapur APMC, Bangarpet APMC), with the modal price per quintal reported on 1 June 2026:
| Commodity | Min | Max | Modal Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mango | ₹1,700 | ₹3,400 | ₹2,400 |
| Brinjal | ₹2,000 | ₹2,600 | ₹2,300 |
| Thondekai | ₹1,000 | ₹1,700 | ₹1,200 |
| Garlic | ₹7,000 | ₹9,500 | ₹9,000 |
| Tomato | ₹1,200 | ₹1,800 | ₹1,500 |
| Bitter gourd | ₹1,500 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,200 |
| Raddish | ₹500 | ₹1,000 | ₹700 |
| Capsicum | ₹2,000 | ₹2,700 | ₹2,500 |
| Knool Khol | ₹1,700 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,000 |
Source: Agmarknet daily arrivals for Kolar, Karnataka, as of 1 June 2026.
What Kolar Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Kolar's largest crops by area were Ragi (Finger Millet), Maize (Corn), Rice (Paddy). Ragi (Finger Millet) alone covered 53,628 ha (82% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 1,842 kg/ha, 19% above the Karnataka average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Rice (Paddy) area +175%, Maize (Corn) area +104%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Karnataka avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ragi (Finger Millet) | 53,628 | 98,757 | 1,842 | 1,542 | -11% |
| Maize (Corn) | 3,780 | 13,520 | 3,576 | 3,234 | +104% |
| Rice (Paddy) | 3,415 | 10,608 | 3,106 | 3,345 | +175% |
| Groundnut | 2,388 | 2,413 | 1,011 | 961 | -68% |
| Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) | 1,003 | 504 | 503 | 572 | -2% |
| Jowar (Sorghum) | 802 | 1,370 | 1,707 | 1,257 | -70% |
| Bajra (Pearl Millet) | 43 | 55 | 1,290 | 1,290 | -66% |
| Sesame (Til) | 30 | 21 | 697 | 699 | +333% |
| Cotton | 21 | 72 | 570 | 3,353 | +611% |
| Sugarcane | 15 | 1,308 | 88,985 | 89,000 | -59% |
Source: Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt of India (final estimates), via UPAg. Field crops only - vegetables, fruit and spices are counted separately. Karnataka average = sum of the state's district estimates.
Climate & Sowing Windows in Kolar
Kolar receives about 877 mm of rain in an average year, 50% of it in June-September. The wettest month is October (157 mm). Days are hottest in April (average high 35°C) and nights coolest in January (average low 14°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in May, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 28° | 14° |
| February | 6 | 31° | 15° |
| March | 17 | 34° | 18° |
| April | 51 | 35° | 21° |
| May | 102 | 33° | 22° |
| June | 75 | 30° | 20° |
| July | 96 | 29° | 19° |
| August | 114 | 29° | 19° |
| September | 151 | 28° | 19° |
| October | 157 | 27° | 18° |
| November | 76 | 26° | 16° |
| December | 27 | 26° | 14° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Kolar district (13.1805, 78.2669). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Kolar Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Kolar
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- Chikkaballapura - 70 km
- Tirupathur, Tamil Nadu - 77 km
- Annamayya, Andhra Pradesh - 78 km
- Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu - 79 km
- Bengaluru Urban - 82 km
- Bengaluru Rural - 84 km
Land records and Farmer ID in Karnataka
Government Schemes for Kolar Farmers
Farmers in Kolar are eligible for PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Kisan Credit Card, Soil Health Card Scheme, PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, eNAM - National Agriculture Market and more. For Kolar's tomato growers, crop insurance, KCC and irrigation subsidies are the priority. Apply at the Kolar district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.