Sugarcane farmers in North Karnataka are protesting heavily because sugar factories are not agreeing to pay the price farmers want for their sugarcane. Farmers are demanding ₹3,500 per tonne, but the factories say they can only pay ₹3,200, saying their costs are too high.
Because of this dispute, over 26 sugar mills in Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Vijayapura have stopped work. Farmers are blocking roads, mill gates, and not sending sugarcane to factories—stopping operations completely.
Protest in Belagavi Enters Day 8
In Gurlapur near Mudalgi, the protest has entered the eighth day.
BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra joined the farmers and even spent the night with them. On his birthday, he told Union Home Minister Amit Shah, “I’m celebrating my birthday with farmers.”
Vijayendra said farmers are right to demand ₹3,500, and he will not leave the protest site until the government announces this price. He also met a farmer who attempted suicide during a protest.
Price Issue and Delayed Government Decision
Sugarcane rates in India are normally based on two prices:
FRP (Fair and Remunerative Price) fixed by the Central Government
SAP (State Advised Price) fixed by the State Government
This year, the Centre fixed the FRP at ₹3,150 per tonne.
But Karnataka has not yet announced SAP, so mills are sticking to the lower price. Farmers say the delay is helping sugar factory owners and hurting them.
Factories say they are facing high costs for power, labour, and transport. But farmers point out that in Maharashtra, factories are paying ₹3,400–₹3,600, even more than what they are demanding in Karnataka.
Statewide Bandh Call
Farmer groups have warned that if their demands are not met, they will call a statewide bandh on November 7.
Farmer leader Chunappa Pujari said protests have already spread to Bagalkot and Vijayapura. He demanded that the Sugar Minister visit the site and give a clear promise.
Religious leader Shashikant Guru accused politicians of ignoring farmers and supporting sugar factories. He said the government increases FRP by only ₹15, which is unfair.
He added that the system lacks transparency—factories delay payments, manipulate weights, and under-report sugar recovery. Many factory owners are also politicians, making it difficult for farmers to get justice.
Major Disruptions in the Region
Farmers are blocking key routes like the Nippani–Mudhol Road, causing traffic jams and stopping goods movement.
Sugarcane trucks are stuck outside mills, and tonnes of harvested cane are lying in fields, raising the risk of crop loss.
Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Vijayapura—major sugar-producing districts—are badly hit. The ongoing deadlock may affect the entire sugar and ethanol industry.
Economic and Political Impact
Experts warn that continued protests may disrupt the 2024–25 sugar production cycle and ethanol supply.
The issue has now become political, especially with rural elections coming soon. Leaders from all parties are expected to visit the protest sites.
Farmers say they don’t want sympathy—they want actual decisions.
Conclusion
North Karnataka remains tense as farmers continue their sit-in protests. They say they will not stop until they receive a fair price and long-term reforms that ensure transparency and respect for their hard work.
