Karnataka Sugarcane Farmers Intensify Protests Demanding Higher Prices

Bengaluru, November 3 (Daily Kiran) : Farmers in Karnataka ramped up their statewide protests on Tuesday, demanding an increase in the purchase price for sugarcane. Demonstrators attempted to surround the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mysuru while initiating a “jail bharo” movement in Belagavi. The farmers are calling for a purchase price of ₹5,500 per ton and urge the central government to raise the minimum selling price of sugar from the current ₹31 to ₹60 per kilogram.

In Mysuru, protesters tried to breach the gates of the Deputy Commissioner’s office but were met with police resistance. Consequently, they blocked the road outside, pushing against police barricades and setting up their own to halt traffic. The farmers remained on the road, even preparing their lunch there.

Leading the protests were Badagalapura Nagendra, president of the Karnataka Farmers’ Association, and Kuruburu Shantakumar, president of the Karnataka Sugarcane Growers’ Association. Nagendra noted that a meeting on October 26 in Belagavi saw various farmer organizations unite to present their demands collectively to the government.

He emphasized that sugar mills should pay ₹4,500 per ton, with the state government adding ₹1,000, bringing the total to ₹5,500. Furthermore, he reiterated the need for the central government to adjust the minimum selling price of sugar to ₹60 per kilogram.

Nagendra stressed the necessity for a dedicated sugar policy, stating, “Farmers are forced to protest against sugar mills every year. This issue needs to be resolved logically. If farmers wish to maintain peace, the government must formulate a comprehensive policy.”

He warned that if the state government does not take their demands seriously, the protests could escalate. A large conference is scheduled for November 6 in Bengaluru, expected to draw thousands of farmers. Following this, the movement will extend to every village.

Meanwhile, after the deadline for the state government and sugar mills to announce a fair purchase price expired, thousands of farmers began the “jail bharo” movement under the banners of the Karnataka State Farmers’ Association and Hasiru Sena in Belagavi.

The farmers marched towards Hindalaga Central Jail from Gurlapur Cross, wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “Prisoner Number 5500.” There were brief clashes with police at barricades during the march.

The protests have significantly disrupted traffic on major routes, including the Mysuru-Ooty National Highway and the Pune-Bengaluru Highway, affecting roads in Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Dharwad, and Haveri districts.

Farmers are also demanding the reinstatement of the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) base recovery rate to 9.5%, timely payment of dues within 14 days, and insurance for sugarcane crops.