Strap: Athani shuts down as farmers demand Rs 3,500 per tonne MSP

Belagavi, 4 Nov

Thousands of sugarcane farmers protested in Karnataka’s Belagavi district on Tuesday as their movement entered its sixth day. The town of Athani observing a complete shutdown in solidarity as protests stretched across Raibag, Athani, and Mudalagi taluks, demanding immediate resolution of their grievances. All the business establishments in Mudalagi were shut.

Farmers demanded a minimum support price of Rs 3,500 per ton for their produce has gathered momentum. Under the banner of the Hasiru Sene Farmers Association, they farmers rejected the Rs 3,200 per ton offer from sugar mills. The agitation brought the operations of 26 sugar factories across the region to a halt, with protesters vowing not to settle for anything less than their demand.

Over 25,000 farmers from the Kittur Karnataka region supply cane to Kolhapur-based mills, resulting in a loss of tax revenue for Karnataka. The protest will continue until the demands are met, the farmers warned.

Protesting farmers have urged the State government to adopt the Maharashtra sugar payment model, which they say ensures structured and timely payments for cane growers.

Farmer leader Chunnappa Poojeri stated that sugar mills in Karnataka pay Rs 2,900-Rs 3,050 per tonne, while mills in Maharashtra pay Rs 3,400-Rs 3,500 per tonne. He demanded that mills in Karnataka pay at least Rs 4,000 per tonne and ensure timely payments.

In Gokak town, the agitation took a new turn as students joined farmers in staging roadblocks at key intersections, throwing traffic out of gear on major routes connecting Belagavi, Savadatti, Mudalagi and Yaragatti.

BJP State President BY Vijayendra visited the protest site, extending his party’s support to the farmers.

"Sugarcane farmers are protesting on the streets due to the Congress government's indifferent attitude," the Shikaripura MLA said.

The Karnataka government makes a profit of Rs 56,000 crore from the six million tonnes of sugar produced from sugarcane, he said. Apart from sugar, the State also earns from its byproducts such as molasses, ethanol and biogas.

"If the State earns Rs 56,000 crore, then the State government has some duty. If it is not coming forward to listen to the woes of the people, this shows how concerned this Congress government is with farmers," he lambasted.

The protests, which initially began with the demands for State Advisory Price (SAP) for sugarcane, have now gained momentum. The agitation has caused significant economic disruption, with thousands of commuters affected by road blockades.