Kalaburagi sugar mills ordered to settle farmer dues before harvest

Sugar mills operating in Kalaburagi district have been instructed to settle all pending dues owed to sugarcane farmers before commencing the harvest season. The order requires factories to complete payments within a specified timeframe, addressing longstanding grievances from cultivators who have faced delayed reimbursements in previous seasons.

Regulatory authorities have also mandated that mills establish and announce sugarcane prices prior to the start of harvesting operations. The measure is intended to provide farmers with price certainty and prevent disputes over compensation once procurement begins.

The directive comes as part of efforts to stabilize the sugarcane sector in the region, where payment delays have historically strained relationships between mills and farming communities. By requiring advance settlement of arrears and transparent pricing mechanisms, authorities seek to create a more predictable trading environment.

Mills have been given a defined period to comply with both the payment and pricing requirements. Officials have indicated that failure to adhere to these conditions could result in regulatory action against non-compliant factories. The initiative reflects growing pressure on sugar industry stakeholders to adopt more equitable practices toward primary producers.