Karnataka sugarcane farmers call off protest after agreeing to Rs 3,600 per tonne price in Belagavi
Sugarcane farmers in Karnataka’s Belagavi district agreed to accept ₹3,600 per tonne and withdraw protests, allowing mills to begin the 2026-27 crushing season. The agreement provides farmers 75% of additional gains from rising sugar prices, while demands for higher sugar MSP and state support remain unresolved.
Sugarcane farmers in Karnataka have agreed to accept a price of Rs 3,600 per tonne in Belagavi district and decided to withdraw their ongoing protests, paving the way for sugar mills to begin the 2026-27 crushing season from Friday, Deccan Herald reported.
Chunappa Pujeri, state president of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene, said farmers had accepted the price announced by Public Works Department Minister and Belagavi district in-charge Satish Jarkiholi following discussions with sugar factories.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday evening, Pujeri said farmers were now seeking the same price across Karnataka and would meet the Deputy Commissioners of various districts to press for its implementation.
The settlement also includes a profit-sharing arrangement under which farmers will receive 75 per cent of the share arising from an increase in sugar prices, while sugar factories will retain the remaining 25 per cent.
Pujeri said the current cane price of Rs 3,600 per tonne was calculated based on a sugar price of Rs 45 per kg. With sugar prices expected to increase during the 2026-27 season, farmers anticipate that prices could reach Rs 55 per kg, potentially taking their cane price to Rs 4,350 per tonne.
He said farmers’ demands were justified given the prevailing drought conditions and the difficulties faced by sugarcane growers. Farmers had secured Rs 4,500 per tonne from sugar factories following protests last year, he added.
The deadlock had persisted after sugar factories refused to raise their offer beyond Rs 3,500 per tonne during discussions with Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. It was subsequently resolved after Jarkiholi held discussions with the factories and helped broker an agreement at Rs 3,600 per tonne.
Pujeri said the agitation demanding an increase in the Centre’s minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar would continue, with November 26 set as the deadline.
He also reiterated the demand for a state government support price of Rs 1,000 per tonne, arguing that the government earns substantial revenue through taxes on sugar and its by-products.
Criticising Shivakumar, Pujeri described the Chief Minister as anti-farmer and warned that the issue could have repercussions during the winter session of the Karnataka legislature, scheduled to be held at Suvarna Vidhan Soudha in Belagavi, if the demand remained unaddressed.
Pujeri said farmers across Karnataka were withdrawing their protests and would allow sugar mills to commence crushing operations.
He added that he would visit Gurlapur in Mudalgi on Friday to discuss the next course of action with Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene honorary president Shashikant Guruji to safeguard farmers’ interests.
To Read more about Sugar Industry continue reading Agriinsite.com
Source : ChiniMandi
