Belagavi: A month-long agitation by sugarcane farmers in Belagavi has achieved its first breakthrough, with District In-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi announcing an offer of ₹3,600 per tonne for sugarcane grown in the district. However, farmers have refused to withdraw their protest, insisting that the decision must be formally announced at their agitation site in their presence.

The growers had been demanding ₹5,500 per tonne, arguing for a higher price for their produce. Their campaign has included blocking national highways, organising a padayatra, observing a Karnataka bandh and launching a jail bharo movement.

Although the latest announcement has brought the farmers and the administration closer to a possible settlement, the dispute remains unresolved.

Meeting with sugar factory owners

As the agitation intensified, a meeting involving sugar factory owners was convened at the Belagavi Deputy Commissioner’s office on Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by district in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi.

Following discussions, Jarkiholi announced an offer of ₹3,600 per tonne for sugarcane in Belagavi district. The proposed rate is specific to the district, where sugarcane productivity is comparatively high.

According to the announcement, districts with lower sugarcane yields will receive a lower price. This means the rate will not necessarily apply uniformly across Karnataka.

The announcement marked the first significant response to the farmers’ month-long campaign. However, the growers have maintained that a statement made at the Deputy Commissioner’s office is not sufficient to end their agitation.

Farmers demand announcement at protest venue

Farmer leader Chunappa Pujari described the announcement as an initial success for the growers who have been protesting for nearly a month. However, he insisted that Jarkiholi should personally visit the protest venue and formally communicate the decision in front of the farmers.

The protesters want the government to make its position clear directly to them before they consider withdrawing the agitation.

Their original demand of ₹5,500 per tonne is considerably higher than the announced offer of ₹3,600. The difference between the two figures remains a major point of disagreement.

For now, the farmers have decided to continue their protest, indicating that the announcement alone has not resolved the dispute.

Jail bharo march adds to tension

The situation in Belagavi remained tense as the jail bharo padayatra was expected to reach the city on Thursday. The district administration imposed prohibitory orders across the city as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incidents.

The restrictions have triggered resentment among the protesters, who questioned the decision, maintaining that their agitation had remained peaceful.

Some farmers declared that they would not retreat even if the police used force to stop their march. Their statements reflect the growing frustration among growers over the delay in reaching an agreement on the sugarcane price.

Police personnel have been deployed to prevent the march from entering restricted areas and to maintain law and order. The administration is monitoring the situation amid concerns that the confrontation could escalate if the protesters attempt to breach the restrictions.

Price announcement offers only partial relief

The ₹3,600-per-tonne offer has provided a possible starting point for further negotiations, but it falls short of the farmers’ demand of ₹5,500 per tonne. The district-specific nature of the proposed rate also means that growers in other districts may receive different prices depending on productivity.

The farmers’ insistence on a formal announcement at the protest site has become another important condition in the negotiations. Until their concerns are addressed, the agitation is likely to continue.

With the jail bharo march approaching Belagavi and prohibitory orders in force, the coming days will be important in determining whether the administration and farmers can reach an agreement and bring the month-long protest to an end.

Update: Fresh reports published on November 5 indicate that sugar factory owners have agreed to pay ₹3,600 per tonne and Minister Satish Jarkiholi has appealed to farmers to withdraw their agitation. This is a later development than the protest situation described in your supplied copy.

Belagavi sugarcane farmers offered ₹3,600 per tonne, protest status shifts

Belagavi: The month-long agitation by sugarcane farmers in Belagavi has reached a significant turning point, with Minister Satish Jarkiholi announcing that sugar factories have agreed to pay ₹3,600 per tonne for sugarcane during the current season. The announcement follows discussions involving farmer representatives and sugar factory owners.

The farmers had been demanding ₹5,500 per tonne, arguing that the existing price was insufficient. Their agitation included highway blockades, a padayatra, a Karnataka bandh and a jail bharo movement.

Sugar factories agree to ₹3,600 per tonne

The announcement came after a meeting chaired by district in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi in Belagavi. Representatives of sugar factories and farmer leaders participated in discussions to resolve the dispute.

Following the meeting, Jarkiholi said factory owners had agreed to pay ₹3,600 per tonne. He appealed to farmer leaders to accept the offer and call off their agitation.

The minister also urged farmers and factory owners to cooperate in restarting sugar mills from November 5, saying that beginning crushing operations was important to prevent further difficulties for growers.

Farmers’ demand remains higher

The farmers had initially sought ₹5,500 per tonne. Their demand included better remuneration from factories and government support.

Farmer leader Chunappa Pujari had described the negotiations as largely successful but maintained that the growers wanted a clear commitment on their demands. Farmers had also sought a formal announcement at their protest venue rather than a decision communicated only through meetings at government offices.

The ₹3,600 offer represents a substantial development in the negotiations, but it is below the amount originally demanded by the growers.

MSP revision remains an issue

The minister also addressed the farmers’ demand for an increase in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar. He said that if the Union government revised the MSP, efforts would be made to ensure that the benefit reached sugarcane growers.

He indicated that farmers could raise their other demands before the government after sugar factories resumed operations. These issues could then be discussed separately at the government level.

Agitation reaches a crucial stage

The dispute had intensified over several weeks, delaying the start of crushing operations at some sugar factories. The announcement of the ₹3,600 rate has created an opportunity to resolve the immediate pricing dispute.

However, the farmers’ original demand for ₹5,500 per tonne and their concerns over additional support remain important issues in the wider debate.

The latest announcement marks a major development in the Belagavi sugarcane price dispute. The response of farmer organisations and the implementation of the agreed rate will determine whether the agitation comes to a complete end.