ARTICLE 4 #FarmersProtest

Tension gripped parts of western Maharashtra, particularly the Kolhapur and Sangli districts, as sugarcane farmers staged protests demanding higher payments for their produce ahead of the 2025-26 crushing season.

A steep fall in maize prices has left hundreds of farmers in Koppal district facing financial distress. The sudden price crash, coming soon after a good harvest, has shattered farmers’ hopes of earning fair returns for their hard work.

Tensions flared across the sugar-producing regions of North Karnataka as thousands of sugarcane farmers took to the streets on Wednesday, demanding a fair and higher procurement price for their produce.

Farmers across several regions have expressed deep concern over the sharp decline in soybean and maize prices, which have fallen below the expected market rate this season. Due to the low returns, many cultivators are struggling to cover their input costs, including seeds, fertilizers, and transportation.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sought an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the ongoing sugarcane farmers’ protest and address their concerns over fair and remunerative pricing (FRP) for their produce.

Farmers across several regions have started a peaceful protest (dharna) today, pressing for the government’s assurance of procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat and soybean. 🚜The protesting farmers argue that without MSP-backed purchases, they face heavy losses due to fluctuating market rates and rising input costs.

Maize farmers across the country are facing one of the steepest price declines in recent years, raising alarms within the agricultural sector. According to farmer groups, the sudden crash in maize prices has left many producers unable to cover their basic production costs, pushing them toward financial distress.

According to local traders, the current buying prices for maize have dropped significantly, leaving farmers frustrated and unwilling to sell their produce at such low margins.

Sugarcane farmers in the Jalandhar region have postponed a planned highway and railway blockade by four days, following assurances from state authorities.

Farmers in North Karnataka, particularly in the Dharwad region under Raitha Sene Karnataka, have launched an indefinite protest in Navalgund taluk.