Sugarcane farmers in Karnataka have suspended their agitation following talks with Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi and have set November 26 as the deadline for the government to address their demands. The key demands include a higher Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane and an increase in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar.
The decision to suspend the protest came after a meeting between Joshi and farmers’ representatives late on Sunday night. Meanwhile, the Centre has constituted a committee headed by former NITI Aayog member Prof. Ramesh Chand to examine the issues raised by sugarcane farmers and recommend suitable measures to address their concerns.
Farmers are seeking an increase in the FRP to ₹4,500–₹5,500 per tonne, citing a significant rise in cultivation costs. They have also demanded that the MSP of sugar be raised from the current ₹31 per kg to ₹60 per kg. For the 2026–27 sugar season, which began in October, the Centre has fixed the FRP at ₹3,650 per tonne of sugarcane.
Karnataka CM Urges Centre to Address Farmers’ Demands
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outlining the measures taken by the State government and emphasising that the farmers’ principal demands fall within the Centre’s jurisdiction. Also Read| Reliance Industries plans to turn sugarcane press mud into biogas
Shivakumar said the State had implemented measures within its authority, including issuing standard operating procedures to prevent irregularities in weighbridges. Sugar mills have also been directed to secure accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for their sugar recovery testing laboratories.
In his letter, the Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to expedite a decision on revising the MSP of sugar. He also called for separate MSPs for sugar intended for domestic consumption and commercial use, a review of the exclusion of cane-based ethanol from procurement tenders, and an increase in the price of ethanol produced from sugarcane.
Demand to Restore FRP Base Recovery to 9.5%
Another key demand raised by Shivakumar is the restoration of the FRP base recovery rate to 9.5%, from the current 10.25%.
He pointed out that the FRP payable to farmers is reduced when sugar recovery falls below the prescribed base rate. However, sugar recovery is influenced by factors such as soil conditions, climate and the timing of crushing, which are largely beyond farmers’ control.
According to the Chief Minister, farmers in regions with lower sugar recovery consequently receive less than the base FRP despite having limited control over these factors. He urged the Centre to restore the base recovery rate to 9.5% to ensure that the FRP more accurately reflects farmers’ production costs.
With the protest temporarily suspended and November 26 set as the new deadline, sugarcane farmers are awaiting the Centre’s response to their demands for better prices and measures to address rising cultivation costs.
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