The sugarcane farmers' protest in northern Karnataka has entered its eighth consecutive day. Farmers have intensified their demonstrations demanding a hike in sugarcane prices. Approximately 26 sugar mills across the state have been completely shut down, and highways in several districts have been blocked.
Farmers are demanding payment of ₹3,500 per ton for sugarcane after deducting harvesting and transportation costs, along with timely payments. The agitation has spread across multiple districts including Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Kalaburagi.
The movement has received support from the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Karnataka Sugarcane Producers Association, and several other farmers' organizations. Students and other social organizations have now joined the farmers, further strengthening the protest.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an urgent meeting. In his letter, the Chief Minister has made it clear that fixing the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane is the responsibility of the Central government.
Siddaramaiah stated that the root of the problem lies in central policy instruments: the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) formula, a stable minimum sale price (MSP) for sugar, export restrictions, and low ethanol offtake from sugar-based feedstock. The state government has suggested payments of ₹3,200 per ton for 11.25% recovery and ₹3,100 per ton for 10.25% recovery, but farmers are not satisfied with this.
The Chief Minister said that while the state government is continuously trying to facilitate dialogue between farmers and mill owners, the agitation continues to intensify and discontent among farmers is growing.
Slippers Thrown at Minister's Convoy
On Thursday, angry farmers in Belagavi district threw slippers at the vehicle of Karnataka government minister Shivanand Patil. The incident occurred when Minister Patil was returning after talks with farmers in Belagavi.
When the minister failed to provide any concrete assurance, angry farmers began raising slogans. Minister Patil defended himself by saying that the actual responsibility of fixing sugarcane prices lies with the Central government. He stated that the concerned department minister is from Karnataka, but the Centre has not taken any concrete steps so far.
What is the Issue?
The Central government has set the FRP for sugarcane at ₹355 per quintal (₹3,550 per ton) for 10.25% recovery for the 2025-26 season, which includes harvesting and transportation charges. For lower recovery rates, the price is reduced proportionally.
The problem is that after deducting harvesting and transportation costs, farmers in Karnataka receive only ₹2,600-3,000 per ton for 9-9.5% recovery. However, farmers are demanding ₹3,500 per ton after harvesting and transportation deductions, and that too on time.
The BJP has accused the Congress government of adopting an anti-farmer attitude. Farmer organizations have warned that if no concrete decision emerges from Friday's meeting, the agitation will be further intensified.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will hold a meeting with sugar mill owners from across the state on Friday, where a major decision could be taken to provide relief to farmers.
Karnataka's Situation Different from UP, Maharashtra
Karnataka is the country's third-largest sugarcane-producing state after Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Sugarcane acreage has increased by approximately 6% from last year's 6.4 lakh hectares to 6.8 lakh hectares this year.
In Uttar Pradesh, the government has fixed the sugarcane rate (SAP) at ₹400 per quintal, while in Maharashtra, FRP is paid at the rate of ₹355 per quintal.
In Maharashtra, sugar mills bear the cost of harvesting and transportation, and farmers also receive a share in the profits of cooperative sugar mills. In comparison, farmers in Karnataka receive lower prices for sugarcane than UP and Maharashtra, which is the main cause of discontent.
Farmers say they will continue their agitation until their demands are met. The sugarcane crushing season has already begun in the state, and the closure of mills is severely impacting sugar production.