The protest involves farmers from Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Vijayanagar, Bidar, Gadag, Hubli-Dharwad, and Haveri districts. Farmers are demanding ₹3,500 per tonne of sugarcane, citing rising costs of fertilizers, labor, irrigation, and transportation. Sugar mills, however, are offering ₹3,200 per tonne, claiming that higher rates could lead to losses and debt. Currently, 26 sugar mills across the state have shut operations due to the dispute.
Under the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for 2025–26, ₹3,550 per tonne was fixed, but after deductions for harvesting and transport, farmers reportedly receive only ₹2,600–₹3,000 per tonne. Farmers have urged the state and central governments to ensure timely payments and fair pricing.
On Thursday, CM Siddaramaiah met with farmers and factory owners at Vidhana Soudha Hall. The meeting resulted in recommendations for the central government, including allowing states to fix net prices after harvesting and transport deductions, increasing sugar MSP above ₹31 per kg, re-evaluating the recovery rate in FRP, and setting export windows for unsold sugar stock. A high-level committee in Karnataka has also been proposed to monitor the situation until the end of the season.
The protest has seen alarming incidents. On November 5, Belagavi farmer Lakkappa Gunadar consumed poison during the demonstration and was hospitalized. On November 6, state minister Shivanand Patil faced unrest when farmers threw slippers at his car while he tried to appeal for calm, emphasizing that sugarcane pricing is determined by the central government.
The situation remains tense, with farmers vowing to continue their agitation until their demands for fair pricing and timely payments are met. The state government has called for dialogue with the central authorities to resolve the impasse.
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