Mysuru: Demanding a minimum support price (MSP) for sugar and a fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane, members of the Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers’ Association staged protests at two locations in Mysuru district on Saturday.
The protests included a road blockade on the Mysuru-Ooty National Highway in Mysuru city and a demonstration outside the Bannari Amman Sugar Factory at Halaganchi village in Nanjangud taluk.
Highway blockade disrupts traffic
In Mysuru city, sugarcane growers blocked the Mysuru-Ooty National Highway, bringing vehicle movement to a halt for a brief period. Protesters lay down on the road to press their demands and draw attention to the concerns of sugarcane farmers.
The demonstrators urged both the Union and Karnataka governments to take steps to protect the interests of sugarcane growers. Their primary demands included a minimum support price for sugar and a fair and remunerative price for sugarcane.
The protest was led by Hallikerehundi Bhagyaraj, state president of the Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers’ Association.
The blockade briefly affected traffic on the busy highway before the demonstration concluded.
Warehouse locked at sugar factory
Meanwhile, another protest was organised outside the Bannari Amman Sugar Factory at Halaganchi village in Nanjangud taluk.
The demonstration was led by Kuruburu Shanthakumar under the banner of the Federation of State Farmers’ Organisations and the State Sugarcane Growers’ Association.
As part of the protest, association members locked the factory’s warehouse to express their dissatisfaction with the authorities and press for action on the concerns raised by sugarcane growers.
The two demonstrations highlighted the farmers’ demand for better price support for sugar and sugarcane, with protesters calling on the governments and factory authorities to address their concerns.