Belagavi, 24 September

Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha and Hasiru Sene President Chunappa Pujeri said farmers will lay siege to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s residence in Hubballi on 29 September, demanding a sugarcane procurement price of Rs 5,500 per tonne.

Pujeri told reporters on Thursday that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugar has remained at Rs 31 since 2019 despite cultivation costs tripling. 

“MSP should be raised to Rs 60, and the price of sugar used for commercial purposes be increased to Rs 100 per kilogram,” he said.

He said only 30 per cent of ethanol produced by Karnataka sugar factories is permitted for sale. He demanded that permission should be increased to 100 per cent like other states. He also sought payment of sugarcane dues, digital weighing machines and inclusion of agricultural activities under the VB-G RAM scheme.

“Last year, following the agitation, farmers secured a price of Rs 3,300 per tonne of sugarcane. However, some factories have defaulted on paying that amount. If the dues are not cleared immediately, they will be forced to launch another protest, he warned.

Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana founder Raju Shetty said the agitation would be national, with Maharashtra farmers participating. “Factories must join hands with farmers’ agitation; otherwise, farmers will not allow them to commence operations.”