Bagalkot sugarcane farmers continue protest seeking higher prices

The farmers are demanding the implementation of the C. Rangarajan committee recommendations that ask sugar factories to treat growers as shareholders and not as raw material suppliers.

Sugarcane farmers continued their protest in Bagalkot district on Thursday seeking higher prices for their produce.

The protestors are demanding ₹5,500 per tonne of sugarcane in the district.

They took out a rally in Bagalkot and vowed not to allow crushing operations in the district till the sugar factories promised higher prices.

The farmers are demanding implementation of the C. Rangarajan committee recommendations that ask sugar factories to treat growers as shareholders and not as raw material suppliers.

They also want the State government to ensure that farmers get at least 50% profit out of cultivation, after considering all costs.

In Haveri, Deputy Commissioner Vijay Mahantesh Danammanavar and Superintendent of Police Yashodha Vantagudi held a meeting with farmers leaders and factory owners.

Farmers in Haveri are demanding ₹3,800 per tonne and a profit-sharing formula on the Belagavi model.