Sugarcane farmers continue to stage protest in Mudhol, other places

Sugarcane growers continued to protest in Mudhol of Bagalkot and other places on Wednesday demanding prices higher than the ₹3,300 per tonne fixed by the State government.

In Mudhol, farmers took out a bullock cart rally and tried to lay a siege to government offices.

They have been on strike for three days now, demanding ₹3,500 per tonne.

The rally that began at the Sangolli Rayanna Circle reached the Tahsildar’s office through Gandhi Circle, Basaveshwara Circle, Ambedkar Circle, Shivaji Circle, Gadannavara Circle and Ranna Circle.

The farmers also blocked the Kasaba-Jambagi Cross Road and refused to allow sugarcane-carrying lorries to reach the factories.

An attempt to negotiate with the farmers, led by district in-charge Minister R.B. Thimmapur and the district administration officials, failed.

Protestors locked some State government offices and also, the local post office. The police, however, stopped them when they tried to lock the mini Vidhana Soudha.

Farmers leader Basavanthappa Kamble said that the State government has sided with the factory owners who are cheating farmers in weighing cane, declaring sugar recovery and are failing to pay Fair and Remunerative Prices for sugarcane.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leader Muthappa Komar warned of an intensified agitation if their demand is not met.

In Kagwad, the former MLA Mohan Hirachand Shah demanded that all the factories should pay the government-fixed price of ₹3,300 irrespective of the sugar recovery percentage.

In Athani, leader Shivanand Khot demanded payment to farmers in 14 days of procurement.

Meanwhile, several factories in Belagavi district announced that they are willing to pay the ₹3,300 announced by the State government, including the State incentive of ₹50.

Some factories like Satish Sugars in Belagavi began crushing operations. Factory director and Congress leader Rahul Jarkiholi performed puja to begin crushing.

Chief Financial Officer of the factory Pradeep Kumar Indi said that the factory has set a target to crush 15 lakh tonnes of sugarcane in the 2025-26 season. He promised to pay bills on schedule.