Hubli, September 29 (Daily Kiran) : Farmers from various districts in Karnataka intensified their protests in Hubli on September 29, demanding a minimum price of ₹5,500 per ton for sugarcane. They also called for an increase in the minimum selling price of sugar and the implementation of the M.S. Swaminathan Commission report.
Thousands gathered at Kittur Rani Chennamma Circle before marching to the residence of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, chanting slogans against the central government. They warned that their agitation would continue until their demands were met.
The Karnataka State Farmers Association and Hasiru Sena organized the demonstration, which saw participation from farmers across Dharwad, Belagavi, and other districts. Organizers reported that over 2,000 farmers attended the protest.
Initially, the farmers planned to encircle Joshi’s office in Hubli, but after police denied them permission, they redirected their march towards Nehru Maidan. They later proceeded from Chennamma Circle to the minister’s residence.
Heavy police presence was deployed around Joshi’s office and home, with barricades set up to prevent protesters from advancing. Tensions flared briefly when some farmers attempted to remove the barricades. More than 250 police officers were stationed around Nehru Maidan and other key areas.
The farmers’ sit-in on several major roads in Hubli disrupted traffic, leading to long queues of vehicles stretching for kilometers.
They urged the government to declare a scientifically determined profitable price for agricultural produce, set the minimum price for sugarcane at ₹5,500 per ton for the current crushing season, and ensure the operation of sugar factories. They also demanded an increase in the minimum selling price of sugar from ₹31 to ₹60 per kilogram, citing rising farming costs.
Farmer leader Chunnappa Pujari highlighted that farming costs have nearly tripled between 2019 and 2026. He called for sugarcane prices to be determined based on estimates provided by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). Additionally, he requested an extra payment of ₹300 per ton for farmers supplying sugarcane during the 2025-26 season.
Pujari also urged both the central and state governments to fully waive farmers’ debts and criticized the state government for providing only ₹2,500 in compensation for crop losses.
The farmers demanded the implementation of the Mahadayi irrigation project, the declaration of a minimum support price for all crops, a scientific determination of fair and remunerative prices (FRP) for sugarcane, and the procurement of all ethanol production in the state.
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