By The News Observer Desk
Haliyal (Uttara Kannada): Sugarcane farmers in Haliyal have extended their round-the-clock protest into its second day at the premises of the Taluk Administration Office, demanding fair pricing for the 2025-26 season’s sugarcane crop and resolution of other grievances. The agitation persists due to the lack of a satisfactory response from the local sugar factory.
The protest began on Thursday, with a meeting facilitated by the Tahsildar between the farmers and factory representatives. However, the discussions ended without a resolution. On Friday evening, another meeting, mediated by Tahsildar Firozsha Somankatti, saw the factory announce a marginal increase of ₹20 per ton, setting the price at ₹3,120 per ton. Farmers outright rejected this offer, expressing outrage and asserting they were not begging for charity.
Nagendra Jivoji, president of the Sugarcane Farmers’ Protection Committee, condemned the factory’s practices, highlighting that deductions for harvesting and transportation costs have led to an outstanding payment of ₹26 crores, calculated at ₹256 per ton. He noted that the factory has sought a court injunction against the Sugar Commissioner’s order to clear these dues. Jivoji affirmed that farmers are prepared for a legal battle and will abide by the court’s ruling.
Jivoji further emphasized that the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is a right of the farmers, and sugar factories have no authority to withhold even a single paisa. He demanded that factories withdraw their harvesting gangs and pay the FRP of ₹4,000 per ton, assuring that farmers would deliver sugarcane directly to the factory gate. However, the factory failed to provide a clear response, leading to another breakdown in talks.
Chunappa Pujari, state president of the Karnataka State Farmers’ Association (Asura Sena), pointed out that sugarcane is an annual crop, and cultivation costs have doubled. He questioned why farmers are not receiving profits from by-products like molasses and ethanol, which factories produce from sugarcane. According to regulations, farmers are entitled to a share of these profits, yet the factory has failed to comply. Pujari also accused the factory of inflating harvesting and transportation (H&T) costs, causing confusion and exploitation across the state.
https://youtu.be/nlvNO5bJo5Q
Sandeepkumar Bobati, district president of the Sugarcane Farmers’ Association, labeled the factory’s offer of a mere ₹13 increase in H&T charges compared to last year as a “gross injustice.” He accused the factory of exploiting farmers under the guise of H&T charges and claimed that the practice of deductions began with this factory, branding it a “curse” not only to Haliyal but to Karnataka. Bobati asserted that farmers are not beggars, yet the factory’s policies aim to reduce them to such a state and systematically divide them. He warned that farmers would not remain silent if the factory continues its divisive tactics.
The ongoing protest underscores the growing tension between sugarcane farmers and the sugar factory, with farmers vowing to continue their fight for fair pricing and transparency.
News and Video input by Sanju Kolur
