Sugarcane farmers continue protest, mills may start crushing tomorrow

Sugarcane farmers in Belagavi continued their protest against sugar factories and government agencies for failing to announce higher prices for their produce. A team of demonstrators attempted to breach the Deputy Commissioner's office, demanding an urgent meeting regarding the issue. Despite being turned away by the police, the farmers threatened to encircle sugar mills and escalate their campaign if their demands were not met.

Meanwhile, another group of farmers embarked on a march from Badakundri village to Belagavi as part of their Jail Bharo agitation. They planned to halt at Mukti Math on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway. Senior leader Chukki Nanjundaswami attended the rally near Hattargi village, warning that the Winter Session of the Legislature would be disrupted if their demands were ignored. The session is set to begin on November 30, but farmers are hopeful that the sugar mills would commence crushing operations by Friday.

Negotiations between farmers and factory owners have been largely successful, with nearly 90% agreement reached. However, differences remain over the desired price of ₹1,000 per tonne of sugar as the State Advised Price. Farmers are confident that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will agree to their request, but sugar factories are unwilling to pay more than ₹3,550 per tonne. A compromise price of ₹3,800 per tonne is being considered, possibly announced before Friday.

However, the farmers' movement may be facing internal divisions. A faction led by Praveen Babu Sardar stated that they would no longer support the agitation against factories and advocated for a mutually beneficial solution. Another group led by Rayanna Nayak warned that any delay in crushing operations would result in significant losses for farmers and not factories.

They urged sugar mills to start crushing by agreeing to the Fair and Remunerative Price, with potential increases if the Minimum Selling Price of sugar is revised.

In Kolhapur district, members of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatan continued to block the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway near Kini Toll Naka, diverting vehicles to alternative routes. Police intervened to manage the situation.