BENGALURU, 21 AUG

State Sugar and Agricultural Marketing Minister, Shivanand Patil, has pledged swift action against individuals encroaching on lakes, check dams, and grazing lands. Addressing farmers at Freedom Park in the City, he stated, “A high-level meeting chaired by the Revenue Minister will be convened shortly to address the issue and provide appropriate resolutions.”

Patil met the farmers who had undertaken a padayatra (foot march) from Chikkamagaluru to the state capital, led by farmer leader Aralapura Manjegowda under the banner of Karnataka Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene. The farmers were demanding action on various agricultural issues.

In his remarks, the minister assured that the State government has announced Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for key crops, including jowar and ragi, with jowar receiving an MSP of up to Rs 3,500. He added, “We will halt imports of jowar from Andhra Pradesh to protect local farmers’ interests.”

On sugarcane prices, Patil indicated that the state will recommend that the Central Government set the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) at Rs 4,400 per ton. He acknowledged that six of the 79 sugar factories in the state still owe payments to farmers, promising that the outstanding Rs 18 crore would be cleared soon.

Additionally, a delegation from Vijayapura raised land issues, to which Patil responded, “Their grievances would be looked into.” The minister's assurances have provided hope to farmers amid ongoing agricultural challenges in the State.