Hubballi: This year, farmers and mill owners in North Karnataka will get an early start to the sugarcane crushing season, with the government announcing that it will begin on November 8, a full week ahead of the usual start date. The decision, made following requests from farmers and sugar mill owners, was revealed by Sugar and Mills Minister Shivanand Patil in a press conference on Thursday.
“Previously, the sugarcane crushing season in North Karnataka was scheduled to start from November 15,” said Minister Patil. “However, after taking into account the demands of the farmers and mill owners, we decided to begin on November 8 this year. This adjustment comes after South Karnataka began its crushing season earlier, about three months ago,” he added.
The announcement has brought relief to the sugarcane farmers in the region who have been eagerly waiting to begin crushing their crops. With over 6 lakh hectares of sugarcane ready for harvest, 80 mills in the state will start operations early. The sugarcane procurement support price for this season has also been increased to ₹3400 per ton, up from ₹3150 last year, a move that is expected to benefit farmers significantly. Patil emphasised that the early start to the crushing season would help both farmers and mills recover from any losses caused by delayed operations in the past.
During the conference, Patil also updated the media on other crucial agricultural matters. The procurement of tur dal under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme, which had originally ended, has now been extended. An additional 32,000 metric tons of tur dal will be purchased to ensure fair prices for farmers. Soybean procurement has also been extended, with both central and state governments stepping in whenever there is a decline in crop prices to ensure stability in the market.
“For the first time, support prices have been announced for soybeans, tur dal, sunflower, and groundnuts, all at the same time, as a way of ensuring fair prices for our farmers,” Patil added. This move reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to supporting farmers during times of fluctuating crop prices.
Another significant announcement from the Minister was related to the repeal of the APMC Act in Karnataka. According to Patil, the decision has proven to be beneficial, as the 166 APMCs in the state have earned a profit of ₹200 crore since the law was repealed. This is seen as a positive outcome for the state’s agricultural economy, as it provides more flexibility in trade and procurement of agricultural produce.
Patil also discussed the upcoming implementation of the new Javali Act, which aims to address staff shortages and challenges within the department. “We are focused on providing solutions for the staff shortage and other challenges we face in the agriculture sector. The younger generation in the Neekar community has been seeking alternative employment opportunities, leading to a decline in the profession. However, through the Neekar Samman Yojana, we are offering incentive funds and free electricity to encourage participation in the traditional Javali profession,” he explained.
The Javali Act aims to further streamline the sugarcane harvesting process, and its implementation is expected to provide long-term support to those involved in the sugarcane industry, particularly the Neekar community.
As the sugarcane crushing season begins earlier than usual, it reflects the Karnataka government’s continued efforts to improve conditions for farmers and the agricultural sector as a whole. With the increased support price for sugarcane, along with extended MSP procurements for other crops, farmers can look forward to a more favourable economic environment in the upcoming season.