Sugarcane farmers across northern Karnataka's key districts, including Belagavi, Bagalkote, and Vijayapura, called off their nine-day agitation on Friday after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a revised price of ₹3,300 per tonne, comprising payments from sugar mills and state subsidies.The protests, which disrupted traffic and drew widespread attention to the farmers' grievances, concluded peacefully following the government's intervention.
Farmers had been demanding a minimum Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of ₹3,500 per tonne, prompt settlements from mills, and policy reforms to tackle escalating cultivation costs exacerbated by erratic monsoons. "The announcement addresses our immediate concerns, and we are suspending the protest," said a spokesperson for the Karnataka Sugarcane Growers' Association in Belagavi.
Demonstrators had blocked highways and staged sit-ins outside sugar factories, highlighting delayed payments and the financial strain from unpredictable weather patterns that affected yields this season.Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, addressing the media in Bengaluru, described the ₹3,300 per tonne package as a balanced solution.
Following talks with sugar mill owners and farmer representatives on Friday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that farmers will be paid ₹3,300 per ton of sugarcane, with sugar mills contributing ₹3,250 and the state government contributing ₹50. This price will be based on 11.25% sugar recovery. At the meeting, mill owners agreed to pay ₹3,200 per ton for sugarcane with an 11.25% yield. The state government and mill owners have decided to add ₹50 each to the additional payment, bringing the total to ₹3,300 per ton.
The protesting farmers have accepted the state government's offer and agreed to withdraw their protest, calling it a victory for the farmers' movement. Sugarcane farmers in the state had been demanding a price increase and had been demanding ₹3,500 per ton.
Farmer leader Raju Shetty, president of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, who is playing a key role in the movement, told Rural Voice that the farmers had given the government an ultimatum to make a decision by 8 am. Yesterday, during Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's meeting with sugar mill owners, the mills refused to increase prices. After this message reached the farmers, they blocked the Pune-Bengaluru highway today. The government subsequently decided to offer a price of Rs 3,300 per tonne.
It is worth noting that farmers in Karnataka were receiving relatively low prices and the government's indifference led to this movement. The movement resulted in an increase in sugarcane prices. Karnataka's sugarcane belt borders Maharashtra, considered a significant one. Raju Shetty, a two-time MP from Hatkanangale in Maharashtra, has consistently campaigned for sugarcane farmers in the state. He also wields influence in Karnataka's sugarcane belt bordering Maharashtra.