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.
The Chief Minister said that sugarcane farmers across several districts of Karnataka have been staging protests, demanding an increase in the procurement price to offset rising cultivation costs and delayed payments from sugar mills.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, Siddaramaiah emphasized the need for the Centre’s intervention to ensure a sustainable price mechanism that benefits both farmers and the sugar industry. He stated that while the State Government has taken steps to support farmers, the final decision on FRP lies with the Union Government.
Farmer unions have warned that if their demands are not met soon, they will intensify their agitation in the coming days. The protests have already affected the transportation of sugarcane to several factories, putting pressure on the state’s sugar production cycle. Experts believe that a coordinated effort between the Centre and the State is crucial to stabilize prices and protect the livelihood of thousands of sugarcane growers in Karnataka.
