Karnataka: Farmers demand sugar factories share profits from sugarcane by-products
Sugarcane farmers in Mysuru have rejected the recent Rs 150/tonne FRP hike as “unscientific” and demanded a revised rate of Rs 4,500/tonne. At a meeting with Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, they also sought a share in sugar factory by-product profits, timely dues payment with interest, proper weighing facilities, and improved irrigation from the Cauvery and Kabini rivers.
Mysuru, Karnataka: Calling the current increase of Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of Rs 150 per tonne for sugarcane “unscientific,” sugarcane farmers in Mysuru have urged the government to revise the price to Rs 4,500 per tonne. The farmers emphasized that the pricing policy should be re-evaluated to protect their interests. They also highlighted the need for a share in the profits generated by sugar factories from sugarcane by-products.
As part of their appeal, representatives from the State Federation of Farmers’ Organisations and the State Sugarcane Growers’ Association met Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy on Thursday and submitted a memorandum outlining their long-standing demands.
Reddy had called for a meeting with farmer representatives at the Zilla Panchayat hall to discuss the challenges faced by sugarcane growers. The meeting saw participation from members of several farmers’ groups.
During the meeting, the farmers pointed out that the profits earned by sugar factories from sugarcane by-products should be shared with the growers. They demanded that these factories clear all outstanding dues with interest, reported The Hindu.
Many farmers argued that the FRP should be considered as the price of produce at the farmers’ fields. To prevent losses caused by “inaccurate” weighing, they requested the government to install weighing bridges in front of all sugar factories.
Addressing irrigation concerns, the farmers demanded that lakes be filled with water from the Cauvery and Kabini rivers.
Farmer leaders including Attahalli Devaraj, Baradanapura Nagaraj, and Kiragasur Shankar were present at the meeting.
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Source : Chinimandi
