Karnataka, India’s second-largest sugar-producing state, is witnessing a major standoff between sugarcane farmers and sugar factories over cane pricing. Thousands of farmers across Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Vijayapura districts have intensified their agitation, demanding ₹3,500 per tonne for their crop, while mills have refused to pay beyond ₹3,200, citing mounting production costs and poor market returns.
The deadlock has paralysed operations at over 26 sugar mills in North Karnataka, as farmers block highways, factory gates, and suspend cane supply, bringing crushing operations to a halt.
Eighth Day of Protest in Belagavi
At Gurlapur near Mudalgi in Belagavi district, the indefinite protest entered its eighth day on Thursday. BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra joined the farmers, spending the night with them on the roadside at Gurlapur Cross. Marking his 50th birthday amid the agitation, Vijayendra received a call from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to whom he said, “I’m celebrating my birthday with farmers.”
Expressing solidarity, he declared, “The farmers are justified in demanding ₹3,500 per tonne. The ₹3,200 offered by factories is unacceptable.” He vowed not to leave the protest site until the State government announced a minimum support price (MSP) of ₹3,500 and met all other farmer demands. Later, Vijayendra visited KLE’s Hospital to meet Lakkappa Gunadal, a farmer who attempted suicide by consuming pesticide during a protest in front of MP Jagadish Shettar.
Price Dispute and Policy Delays
Sugarcane prices in India are determined by two key benchmarks — the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) fixed by the Centre and the State Advised Price (SAP), generally set higher by states to support farmers. The FRP for the current year is ₹3,150 per tonne.
However, the Karnataka government has delayed announcing the SAP, forcing mills to rely on the lower FRP. This delay has sparked anger among farmers, who allege the move favours the sugar industry over cultivators.
Industry bodies argue that mills are struggling with increased costs for power, labour, and transport, and a stagnant sugar market that limits profitability. But farmers point to neighbouring Maharashtra, where both private and cooperative factories have announced higher rates — between ₹3,400 and ₹3,600 per tonne, excluding transport and cutting charges.
Bandh Call and Widening Agitation
Farmer leader Chunappa Pujari announced that the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Hasiru Sene, and the Karnataka Sugarcane Growers’ Association, along with other groups, have called for a statewide bandh on November 7 if their demands are not met.
“Protests have already begun in Vijayapura and Bagalkot. This movement will spread across the state. The government must listen,” Pujari warned. He demanded that Sugar Minister Shivanand Patil visit the protest site and give a firm assurance.
Voices from the Ground
Religious leader Shashikant Guru of Inchigari Shakha Mutt, addressing the farmers, accused politicians across parties of betraying cultivators’ trust. He criticised both the Union and State governments for their handling of the sugar industry.
“The Union government raised the FRP by only ₹15 compared to last year — an insult to farmers’ hard work,” he said. “The sugar and ethanol sectors are heavily regulated by the Centre. Yet, decisions always favour industry, not growers.”
He added that the Sugar Commissioner’s office lacks the authority to enforce timely payments, ensure accurate weight measurements, and verify sugar recovery rates. “Most factory owners are politicians themselves. Unless strict oversight is introduced, farmers will always lose,” he said.
Guru urged protesters not to back down until the government officially announces higher prices, adding that factories should not be allowed to start crushing until then.
Widespread Disruptions
Meanwhile, farmers continued to block key routes, including the Nippani–Mudhol Road and Daroor Bridge, disrupting traffic and goods movement. Cane-laden trucks stood idle for days near mill gates, and thousands of tonnes of harvested sugarcane lie uncrushed, leading to fears of wastage.
The Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Vijayapura districts, which together contribute nearly half of Karnataka’s sugar output, are at the centre of the unrest. The prolonged impasse threatens to affect the entire sugar economy of the region, which supports lakhs of families directly or indirectly.
Economic and Political Fallout
Experts warn that if the standoff continues, the state could face a shortage of ethanol supply and delays in the 2024–25 sugar production cycle. Industry observers note that both state and central governments will face political pressure, especially with rural Karnataka preparing for upcoming local elections.
Analysts also point out that sugarcane politics has always been volatile in the region, with farmer agitations historically shaping political narratives. Leaders from both ruling and opposition parties are now expected to visit protest sites to express solidarity, though farmers insist they want action, not sympathy.
As tempers rise and the bandh call nears, Karnataka’s sugar belt remains on edge. For now, the farmers of North Karnataka continue their sit-in, determined to extract not just a better price, but also long-term reforms in how their hard-earned crop is valued.