Karnataka CM urges protesting sugarcane growers to resume harvesting
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar warned that continued agitation in Belagavi could lead to crop waste and financial losses for farmers.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar appealed to sugarcane farmers protesting in Belagavi on Saturday to resume harvesting, according to the Deccan Chronicle.
The Chief Minister cautioned that delays in harvesting could reduce juice content and increase fire risks, potentially causing the crop to go to waste.
Shivakumar said the state government would ensure farmers receive payments based on pricing decisions made by the Union Government. He noted that the previous understanding was for the Centre to determine sugar prices and for factories to pay farmers accordingly.
The Chief Minister stated he wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday seeking intervention. He also said he would contact concerned Union ministers regarding the issue.
Shivakumar mentioned that the price of sugar had not increased by even Re 1 in the past eight years. He said he requested the Centre to increase the price by at least Rs 50 to ensure better prices for farmers.
Farmers in North Karnataka intensified agitations on Saturday over demands for higher procurement prices. Protests included highway blockades, a sit-in at the Belagavi bus stand, and road block attempts in Dharwad, Vijayapura, and Bagalkote.