During the year 2021-22, as per National Horticulture Board, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India the total area in Karnataka state for pomegranate cultivation was 62,672 acres with production of 255.01 (‘000 MT).

The pomegranate-growing districts in Karnataka are Bagalkote, Bellary, Bengaluru Rural and Urban, Belgavi, Bidar, Chamarajanagar, Chikkaballapura, Chikkmagaluru, Chitradurga, Gadag, Hassan, Haveri, Kalburgi, Kolar, Koppal, Mysuru, Ramanagara, Raichur, Vijayapura and Yadgir. India is the only country in the world where pomegranate is available throughout the year. Countries like Bangladesh, UAE, Nepal, Netherland, Saudi Arabia and Oman are now increasingly sourcing fresh Pomegranate from India. India’s contribution to the export of pomegranate is less than 5% in the International Market even though it stands first in production. This is mainly due to the weak linkages between the production and supply chain systems.

Government intervention in providing technology and training has given a boost to the farmers to take up pomegranate cultivation for local and export purposes as well. Of late, problems due to diseases such as bacterial blight and pomegranate wilt have had a deleterious effect on the crop in Karnataka. However, research support will go a long way in developing pomegranate crops in the dry regions and help the farmers in getting better returns.