DK Shivakumar Writes to PM Modi on Karnataka Sugarcane Protests

Karnataka CM writes to PM Modi seeking urgent Intervention as Sugarcane protests delay crushing season in N. Karnataka

Bengaluru, October 19

In his letter dated October 19, the Chief Minister stated that sugarcane farmers in North Karnataka are protesting at various places and undertaking padayatras from various towns towards Hubballi with the intention of gheraoing the residence of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who holds the portfolios of Education, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy.

Road blockades have been reported at several locations, and the High Court has issued directions restraining the proposed protest at the Union Minister's residence.

Shivakumar said he visited Kittur in Belagavi district on October 17 and met the protesting farmers and appealed to them to call off the padayatra.

The farmers stated that their principal demands concern matters within the purview of the Government of India and that they would not call off the agitation without an assurance from the Government of India.

"The situation is grave. Owing to these protests, the crushing season has not commenced in North Karnataka. Mature sugarcane remains standing in the fields, and every day of delay results in a loss of cane weight and sugar content. The continuing road blockades are also disrupting public order and causing considerable hardship to the general public," the CM said.

The letter details measures taken by the State Government within its powers. Under a Government Order dated November 27, 2023, the Legal Metrology Department issued a Standard Operating Procedure to prevent irregularities in weighbridges of sugar mills and all mills were directed to comply.

All 81 operational mills have shifted from analogue to digital load cells. District-level teams have been constituted to inspect sugar recovery and cane weight at every mill at least twice a month during the 2025-26 season.

"As a result, average sugar recovery rose from 9.91% in 2022-23 to 11.09% in 2025-26. All mills have also been directed to obtain NABL accreditation for their recovery-testing laboratories," the CM stated.

In 2025-26, through a Government Order (G.O.), the State ensured an additional Rs 100 per tonne over and above the mills' agreed price, and bore Rs 50 per tonne out of this Rs 100 from its own funds. About Rs 290 crore has been paid directly to farmers.

"But the farmers' core demands can be met only by the Government of India," Shivakumar noted.

The Chief Minister welcomed the Committee constituted by the Union Government on October 14 under the chairmanship of Ramesh Chand, former Member, NITI Aayog, to examine issues of sugarcane farmers and the sugar sector, stating the State will participate fully and share its data. However, he said the crushing season is already delayed, and some decisions are urgent and may be taken even as the Committee continues its work.

He requested the Government of India to take an early decision on five matters:

1. Revise MSP of sugar: It has stayed at Rs 31 per kg since February 14, 2019, while FRP has risen from Rs 2,750 to Rs 3,650 per tonne. Mills cannot pay a fair cane price at the 2019 sugar price.

2. Fix separate MSPs for domestic and commercial sugar: This will protect household consumers, while bulk commercial buyers pay a fair price.

3. Review exclusion of cane-based ethanol from procurement tender: In the tender dated October 16 issued by oil marketing companies for Ethanol Supply Year 2026-27 (Nov 2026 to Oct 2027), ethanol produced from sugarcane juice, sugar syrup and B-heavy molasses has been excluded, while ethanol from C-heavy molasses remains eligible. Karnataka has a cane-based ethanol capacity of 225 crore litres per annum. The exclusion is likely to affect revenue of mills and constrain timely payments to farmers. He requested a fair allocation in proportion to installed capacity.

4. Increase price of cane-based ethanol: Prices of ethanol from sugarcane juice and B-heavy molasses have remained unchanged since 2022-23, despite annual increases in FRP, while grain-based ethanol prices have been revised upwards

5. Restore FRP base recovery to 9.50%: The base recovery was 9.50% earlier and has been raised step by step to 10.25%. FRP is reduced when recovery falls below this base. But recovery depends on soil, climate and time of crushing, which the farmer does not control. Farmers in low-recovery areas do not get even the base FRP.

"A clear and timely announcement by the Government of India on these matters would help the State Government persuade the farmers to call off the agitation and enable the crushing season to commence without further delay. I earnestly request your urgent intervention in the interest of lakhs of sugarcane farmers and the people of Karnataka," the Chief Minister said.

— ANI