Karnataka Sugarcane Price Row: Farmers, Mills to Decide Rates After Centre Fixes Sugar MSP

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said negotiations between sugarcane farmers and sugar factory owners had yielded a breakthrough, with both sides agreeing to finalise the price payable to growers after the Centre fixes the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar.

The development follows an agitation by farmers demanding an incentive of Rs 6,000 per tonne of sugarcane. According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the farmers and factory owners are expected to announce their final decision within two days after discussing the proposal among themselves.

"Farmers as well as the factories must survive. The livelihood of farmers is important to the government," Shivakumar said. The breakthrough came after nearly 10 hours of negotiations across five rounds at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha and the Circuit House in Belagavi on Monday. The discussions began around 11 am and continued until midnight as the state government attempted to resolve the impasse.

Shivakumar said farmers had held discussions with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who had assured them of support. Factory owners, meanwhile, agreed to determine the price payable to growers after the Centre announces sugar's MSP.

The chief minister said the farmers had sought two days to consult among themselves before taking a final decision. He expressed confidence that Union ministers would honour their assurances and reiterated the state government's willingness to engage with the Centre.

"The agitation has reached an amicable conclusion," Shivakumar said, adding that the government would continue supporting farmers and encourage a mutually acceptable settlement. Nine ministers and around 70 legislators participated in Monday's deliberations. Representatives of 79 of the state's 80 sugar factories attended the meetings alongside farmer leaders.