Shivakumar Appeals for Patience as Karnataka Sugarcane Price Protest Enters Third Day

Belagavi, Oct 16 : The sugarcane price dispute in Karnataka intensified on Thursday as farmers continued their march towards Hubballi, demanding a minimum price of Rs 5,500 per tonne and an increase in the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar to Rs 60 per kg. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar appealed to farmers to remain patient as negotiations continued to resolve the issue.

With the agitation in Belagavi entering its third day, the sustained mobilisation of farmers has put pressure on the state government to reach a concrete settlement through discussions with the Centre and political leaders in Maharashtra.

The protesters are demanding higher remuneration for sugarcane, along with an increase in sugar's MSP, arguing that the existing pricing framework does not adequately protect farmers' returns. Their demands have brought the financial challenges facing sugarcane growers and sugar mills into sharp focus.

Speaking to reporters near Sri Mahalakshmi Temple at Uchila in Udupi district, Shivakumar said the government was working towards a solution that would safeguard the economic interests of both sugarcane farmers and sugar mills.

He noted that the issue was not limited to Karnataka, as farmers in other states were also facing similar concerns. The state government was consulting political leaders in Maharashtra and had raised the matter with Union ministers, who had convened a meeting to discuss the dispute.

Shivakumar also assured farmers that the financial assistance announced for sugarcane growers last year would continue. He said efforts were underway to address their broader demands regarding cane prices.

Meanwhile, the Belagavi district administration has initiated discussions with farmer representatives to ease the deadlock and facilitate a resolution.

Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan held talks with Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha state president Chunappa Pujeri and Shashikant Guruji. Police Commissioner Prakash Nikam also attended the meeting.

During the discussions, farmer representatives urged the administration to intervene without further delay and ensure the early commencement of crushing operations at sugar factories.

Pujeri also sought a meeting with sugar mill owners to ascertain the prices they were willing to offer farmers for the current crushing season.

The key challenge remains bridging the gap between farmers' demand for higher sugarcane prices and the financial concerns of sugar mills. While the state government has indicated that consultations are continuing, farmers have maintained pressure through their ongoing march and protest.

With negotiations taking place at multiple levels, the immediate priority for the state government is to arrive at a time-bound settlement that addresses growers' demands, enables crushing operations to begin smoothly and prevents the agitation from escalating further.