Sugarcane standoff: Farmers threaten massive protests over prices

Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi held multiple rounds of discussions with factory owners to break the deadlock. However, previous meetings failed to resolve the ongoing dispute between owners and growers.

Factory management offered 3,500 rupees per tonne, but farmers outrightly rejected the proposal. Instead, growers demand 4,500 rupees from factories alongside a state subsidy of 1,000 rupees per tonne.

Farmer leader Choonappa Poojari criticised the government for holding unproductive meetings without reaching concrete decisions. He urged the administration to announce the additional subsidy immediately to avert further unrest.

Poojari warned of severe consequences and large protests during the upcoming winter legislature session. Agitations have already spread across Mysuru and Mandya districts, where protesters attempted to enter administrative offices.

Demonstrators previously blocked the busy Pune-Bengaluru National Highway for over 30 hours to push their demands. An October meeting led by the government failed after factories refused to pay an additional amount.

Farmers also demand an increase in sugar minimum support price from 31 to 60 rupees per kg. Furthermore, they seek timely payments within 14 days and a comprehensive state sugar policy.

Protesters wore T-shirts marked with ‘Prisoner Number 5,500’ to symbolize their pricing demands during recent marches. They plan a massive convention in Bengaluru on November 6 to organize village-level mobilization.

The government faces intense pressure to reconcile the gap between factory offers and farmer demands. Officials expect further escalation if negotiations fail to produce a satisfactory outcome today.