Mudhol (Bagalkot): The demand for a “fair price” of Rs 3,500 per tonne for sugarcane escalated into violence on Thursday as at least 15 sugarcane-laden tractors parked inside factory yards were set on fire in Mudhol and parts of Bagalkot and Vijayapura districts. The agitation, which has been intensifying over the past week, took a severe turn after rumours spread that a factory had resumed operations without resolving the ongoing pricing dispute.
Violence erupts as farmers reject govt price formula
While Belagavi, the largest sugarcane hub with 29 operational factories, accepted the state government’s price formula of Rs 3,300 per tonne announced last week, farmers in Bagalkot and Vijayapura have refused to comply. Bagalkot has 14 functioning factories and Vijayapura 10, and both districts are now emerging as centres of resistance.
Farmers argued that the government’s formula based on “recovery” — the amount of sugar derived per unit of cane — was “unscientific” and did not reflect actual production costs or market conditions. Farmer leader Muttappa Komar alleged that “miscreants unleashed violence to bring discredit to the farmers’ movement,” insisting that the agitation remained focused on securing a fair and mutually agreed price.
Factories targeted as agitation intensifies
Tensions flared in Mahalingapur and Sameerwadi after unverified information spread that a sugar mill had begun crushing operations despite unresolved pricing negotiations. In retaliation, farmers laid siege to the Godavari factory in Sameerwadi, where 15 tractors loaded with sugarcane were torched.
Similar arson incidents occurred at Sanganatti Cross near Mahalingapur, further escalating the conflict. The agitation reflects deep-rooted mistrust between cane growers and factory operators, especially in districts historically known for rejecting government-mandated cane price formulas.
Police intervention fails to ease standoff
Attempts by the Bagalkot deputy commissioner and superintendent of police to initiate dialogue did not result in any breakthrough. As tensions mounted, farmers intensified protests by blocking the Hubballi–Solapur highway near Siddapur in Jamkhandi taluk, severely disrupting traffic for several hours.
Road blockades were also reported from Hunnur and Hulyal villages, where groups of farmers gathered to demand immediate negotiations with factory managements and district authorities.
Longstanding dispute over sugarcane pricing
Bagalkot farmers have historically disagreed with the state’s cane pricing system, arguing that recovery-based rates do not account for rising input costs, labour expenses and market fluctuations. They continue to demand that prices be fixed through direct negotiations between growers and factories, rather than through uniform state formulas.
Growers insist that only mutually agreed pricing can prevent annual disputes and ensure financial sustainability for farmers who rely heavily on sugarcane cultivation for their livelihood. The burning of tractors and blockades has raised concerns about prolonged disruptions if talks do not resume soon.
Conclusion
As the standoff deepens, the situation remains tense across multiple districts, with both farmers and factory operators awaiting government intervention that may help break the deadlock. With districts like Bagalkot and Vijayapura refusing to accept the newly announced price, the state administration now faces growing pressure to re-evaluate the formula or initiate tripartite negotiations to restore calm and avert further violence.