Vijayapura growers want profit-sharing formula to be extended to the whole State

A delegation says that it will not allow sugarcane crushing operations unless the 10 sugar factories in Vijayapura district agree to a base price of ₹3,600 per tonne and promise to share profits if the price of sugar crosses ₹45 per kg.

Sugarcane farmers in Vijayapura district have demanded that the State government ensure that the profit-sharing formula announced by the Belagavi district administration between factories and farmers be extended to the whole State.

A delegation led by farmers leaders submitted a memorandum to the State government saying that they will not allow sugarcane crushing operations unless the 10 sugar factories in the district announce that they will agree to give a base price of ₹3,600 per tonne and promise to share profits if the price of sugar crosses ₹45 per kg.

“In such a case, the farmers will get 75% of the profits and the factory the balance 25%. The current wholesale price hovers between ₹45 a kg and ₹55 a kg. If this price remains stable till the end of the crushing season, farmers will take home ₹4,000-₹4,400 per tonne of sugarcane. This will help farmers who are in distress due to the steep rise in the cost of fertilisers, other inputs and labour,” the delegation said.

Leaders Arvind Kulkarni, Basavaraj Patil, Sangamesh Biradar and others have signed the memorandum.

They held a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner K. Anand who assured them of convening a meeting of factories and growers. He also told them that he will communicate their concern to the State government.

Vijayapura MLA and sugar factory owner Basanagouda Patil Yatnal said that he supported the demands of the farmers.

“After many decades, farmers are fighting for a cause that helps the whole industry - the farmers and the factories. Till now, only factory owners were running to the Union government seeking a revision of Minimum Selling Price of sugar,” he said.

“Farmers have now understood that only an increase in MSP will help factories to pay higher prices for sugarcane. It is also fair for farmers to expect a share in the profits of factories. If the State government were to announce that factories should share the profits with farmers, my factory will be the first one to share profit,” he said.

Meanwhile, sugarcane growers in Bagalkot district began protests in a few places saying that they will not accept the offer of ₹3,600 as the later payments based on profits are speculative.

A team of leaders, including Eerappa Hanchinal, and others met Deputy Commissioner Sangappa and urged him to ask the factories to offer ₹4,250 per tonne of sugarcane.

“The factory owners have formed a clique and are playing tricks with farmers. They are hand-in-glove with politicians who are capitalizing the helplessness of farmers. However, farmers have learnt of their cunning ways. We will not let any factory begin crushing operations or start sugar sales. We also want the State government to ensure payment of all arrears to farmers,” Eerappa Hanchinal said.

Also, farmers organised a rasta roko at Sangolli Rayanna Circle there on Monday and demanded higher procurement prices. They threatened to intensify and spread the agitation if their demands are not met.