Karnataka CM Appeals to PM for Sugarcane Farmers
Amid the ongoing protests by sugarcane farmers in North Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken a proactive step by writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The farmers are demanding better prices for their sugarcane, as the current rate of ₹3,550 per tonne, set by the Centre, is deemed inadequate. Siddaramaiah's letter, sent just before a meeting with sugar factory owners, emphasizes the need for urgent central clearances for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) after excluding harvesting and transport charges.
The protests have intensified in districts like Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Vijayapura, where farmers are expressing their frustration over the rising costs of cultivation and the low remuneration they receive. Despite the state government's efforts to mediate between the farmers and sugar mills, the situation remains tense. The Chief Minister stated that the effective payment reaching farmers is significantly lower after accounting for harvesting and transport costs, which range from ₹800 to ₹900 per tonne.
Siddaramaiah pointed out that the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) set by the Centre does not reflect the realities faced by farmers, as increasing costs for fertilizers, labor, and irrigation have made current payments unsustainable. He highlighted that farmers are demanding a net price of ₹3,500 per tonne after deductions, which they argue is essential for the viability of their cultivation.
The CM's letter also requests the Centre to allow states to set or endorse a net price for farmers post-harvesting and transportation. He has proposed that mills absorb these costs to make the ₹3,500 per tonne net price feasible. Furthermore, he has called for a recalibration of the recovery rate linked to the FRP, an increase in the sugar MSP above ₹231 per kg, and improved payment protocols.
In light of the unrest, Siddaramaiah has appealed to farmers to withdraw their protests, which are disrupting normal life in various districts. He plans to hold separate meetings with farmers and sugar factory owners to find a resolution. The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, has urged the state government to collaborate with farmers to reach an amicable solution, underscoring the need for dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis effectively.
