Sugarcane price deadlock nears resolution after 10-hour discussion with Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar

Karnataka’s Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar (centre) mediated between sugarcane growers and sugar mill owners for nearly 10 hours in an effort to break the deadlock, in Belagavi on October 25, 2026.

A prolonged deadlock between sugarcane growers and sugar mill owners in Karnataka moved closer to resolution after Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar mediated between the two sides for nearly 10 hours in Belagavi on October 25.

The two sides have agreed in principle to determine the price sugar factories should pay farmers after the Union Government fixes the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar, Mr. Shivakumar said. Representatives of farmers and sugar mills are expected to announce their final decision within two days, following further consultations.

The negotiations were held at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha and the Circuit House, beginning around 11 a.m. and continuing until midnight. Five rounds of discussions were conducted, involving farmers’ representatives, sugar mill owners, nine Ministers and around 70 legislators. Representatives of 79 of the 80 sugar factories in Karnataka participated in the talks.

Speaking to reporters after the negotiations, Mr. Shivakumar said the mill owners had agreed to the proposed approach of linking the price payable to growers to the Centre’s decision on minimum selling price of sugar. The farmers, however, had sought two days to discuss the proposal among themselves before arriving at a final decision.

He said the government of Karnataka would support both farmers and mill owners in reaching a settlement, and continue engaging with the Union Government on the issue. The farmers had already held discussions with a Union Minister and received assurances, he added.

The understanding reached during the negotiations on October 25 is yet to receive the final endorsement from farmers. Their representatives will discuss among themselves over the next two days before announcing their decision.

Mr. Shivakumar said the government’s priority is to safeguard livelihood of farmers while ensuring the viability of sugar factories. He assured the stakeholders that the government of Karnataka remains ready to hold discussions with the Centre to facilitate a resolution.

The negotiations continued at the Circuit House after the initial discussions at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, as Mr. Shivakumar sought to bridge differences between the farmers and mill owners. The discussions culminated in an agreement in principle on the mechanism for determining the price payable to farmers.

The final settlement will depend on the Centre’s decision on sugar’s minimum selling price and the subsequent agreement between the two sides.

Ministers Satish Jarkiholi, Laxman Savadi, Santosh Lad, and Yashwantray Gowda Patil, along with MLA N.H. Konareddy, were among those who participated in the discussions.

Badagalapura Nagendra, Chunnappa Pujari, Kuruburu Shanthakumar and Chukki Nanjundaswamy represented the farmers. The sugar industry was represented by Sangameshwar Nirani, Yogish Patil, Channaraj Hattiholi, and Vivek Hebbar.

The Chief Minister’s Economic Adviser L. Ateeq, Additional Chief Secretary Tushar Girinath, and Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan were among the officials present.

The protracted negotiations have raised hopes of a resolution to the differences over sugarcane prices. However, a final agreement is awaited, with both sides expected to announce their decision within two days.