Sugarcane Farmers in Karnataka Renew Protests Over Procurement Price
Mysore Cane farmers stripped in protest on nov 4
Bengaluru: Sugarcane farmers and members of the Rajya Kabbu Belegarara Sangha (Sugarcane farmers association) have renewed their protests in Karnataka, demanding a hike in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) to Rs 3500/tonne for sugarcane. Protests have been held in Davangere, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada and Mysore districts.
The government declares the FRP, which the mills are legally bound to pay to farmers while procuring cane from them.
On October 15, there was a meeting at the Vidhana Soudha between farm unions and representatives of the factory owners. The meeting was chaired by the Textiles and Sugarcane minister, Shankar Patil Munenakoppa. However, the farmers said there was no outcome as they found the minister stalled for time. The mill owners also communicated that they would be unable to pay any amount over and above the FRP of Rs 305/quintal. However, the President of the association, Kurubur Shantakumar asked how mill owners in Gujarat were able to pay Rs 4400/tonne to cane farmers. He also alleged that factories in UP and Punjab were paying Rs 3500/tonne and Rs 3800/tonne, respectively.
In Dharwad, the farmers have been protesting in front of the DC office since October 31. They have refused to vacate the premises until the state government revises the prices.
Moreover, the association alleged that the police resorted to lathi charging on the protesting farmers at Haliyal (Uttara Kannada district). The association said that there are 72 sugar mills in Karnataka and that they were cheating the farmers in collusion with the ruling BJP.
In a press release, the association said that 38 sugar mills in the state are owned by MLAs, MPs and ministers and that they will be taught a lesson in the upcoming state legislature elections. They allege that the deadlock between the farmers and mill owners has led to the crop remaining unharvested for 16 months.
In 2019, sugarcane farmers in Gokak alleged that the sugar mill owned by Ramesh Jarkiholi (BJP MLA) had not cleared dues for the year. Earlier this year, the Congress party in Karnataka alleged that Jarkiholi had siphoned off loans taken from cooperative banks for his business and declared bankruptcy to avoid paying it back.
Roadblocks and symbolic protests had been held by the association in August. However, since the government failed to heed their demands, the farmers are back on the streets.
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