Haveri/Mudhol, 12 Nov

Protests by sugarcane farmers demanding fair prices continued for the second day on Tuesday in Haveri and Mudhol, Bagalkot district. Farmers in Haveri demanded that the government ensure the officially fixed rate of Rs 3,300 per tonne, while those in Mudhol sought Rs 3,500 per tonne.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said farmers in Haveri were facing severe distress as continuous rainfall had destroyed maize and soybean crops, and sugarcane growers were not getting the declared price. He urged the district administration to enforce the state-fixed rate of ₹3,300 per tonne for sugar factories.

Bommai also demanded that the state government direct the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) to procure maize directly from farmers, noting that the state produces around 54 lakh metric tonnes of maize across 17 lakh hectares.

He alleged irregularities in the crop loss survey and said compensation was yet to reach affected farmers. “The government must conduct a resurvey where complaints have been raised and immediately announce crop loss relief,” he said.

Bommai added that he had discussed the issue of sugarcane prices with district officials and urged the Sugar Minister to intervene swiftly to resolve the matter, saying the current MSP of ₹2,400 per quintal was inadequate.