Sugarcane farmers in North Karnataka have intensified their protest demanding ₹3,500 per tonne, blocking highways and forcing 26 sugar mills to shut operations. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sought an immediate meeting with Prime Minister Modi, as farmer unions have warned that the agitation will intensify if no concrete decision comes out of Friday’s talks.
The protest by sugarcane farmers in North Karnataka has entered the eighth consecutive day. Farmers have intensified their protest demanding increase in sugarcane prices. About 26 sugar mills have been completely closed across the state, and highways have been blocked in several districts.
Farmers are demanding payment ₹3,500 per tonne Reduction in sugarcane harvesting and transportation costs as well as timely payments. The movement has spread to several districts including Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Hubli-Dharwad and Kalaburagi.
The movement has received support from Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Karnataka Sugarcane Growers Association and many other farmer organizations. Students and other social organizations have now joined the farmers, further strengthening the protest.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding an immediate meeting. In his letter, the Chief Minister has made it clear that it is the responsibility of the Central Government to decide the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane.
Siddaramaiah said the root of the problem lies in the central policy tools: the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) formula, a stable minimum support price (MSP) for sugar, export restrictions and low ethanol offtake from sugar-based feedstock. The state government has suggested payment of ₹3,200 per tonne for 11.25% recovery and ₹3,100 per tonne for 10.25% recovery, but farmers are not satisfied with this.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is making continuous efforts to facilitate talks between farmers and mill owners, but the agitation is continuously intensifying and dissatisfaction among the farmers is increasing.
Slippers thrown at minister’s convoy
On Thursday, angry farmers threw slippers at the car of Karnataka government minister Shivanand Patil in Belagavi district. This incident occurred when Minister Patil was returning after talking to farmers in Belagavi.
When the minister could not give any concrete assurance, the angry farmers started sloganeering. Minister Patil, defending himself, said that the actual responsibility of determining the prices of sugarcane lies with the Central Government. He said that the minister of the concerned department is from Karnataka, but the Center has not taken any concrete steps till now.
What is the matter?
Central government has set FRP for sugarcane ₹355 per quintal (₹3,550 per tonne) To recover 10.25% for the 2025-26 season, which includes harvesting and transportation charges. For lower recovery rates, the price is reduced proportionately.
The problem is that after deducting harvesting and transportation costs, farmers in Karnataka receive only ₹2,600-3,000 per tonne For 9-9.5% recovery. However, farmers are demanding ₹3,500 per tonne after harvesting and transportation deductions, and that too on time.
BJP has accused the Congress government of adopting anti-farmer attitude. Farmer organizations have warned that if no concrete decision is taken in Friday’s meeting, the agitation will be further intensified.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will hold a meeting with sugar mill owners across the state on Friday, in which a major decision can be taken to provide relief to the farmers.
Karnataka’s situation is different from UP, Maharashtra
Karnataka is the third largest sugarcane producing state in the country after Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The area under sugarcane has increased by about 6% from 6.4 lakh hectares last year to 6.8 lakh hectares this year.
In Uttar PradeshThe government has fixed the sugarcane rate (SAP). ₹400 per quintalwhile inside MaharashtraFRP is paid at the rate of ₹355 per quintal.
In Maharashtra, sugar mills bear the costs of harvesting and transportation, and farmers also get a share in the profits of cooperative sugar mills. In comparison, farmers in Karnataka get lower prices for sugarcane compared to UP and Maharashtra, which is the main reason for dissatisfaction.
Farmers say that they will continue their agitation until their demands are met. Sugarcane crushing season has started in the state and the closure of mills is seriously affecting sugar production.
