Sugarcane farmers call off protest after Delhi talks agreement

Thousands of sugarcane farmers converged at Kittur Chennamma Circle in Hubballi on Tuesday to press their demands for improved price realisation and a revision of the minimum selling price (MSP) for sugar. The mass gathering brought together growers from across Karnataka as well as neighbouring Maharashtra and Telangana, underscoring the pan-regional nature of the agricultural crisis affecting the sugarcane sector.

The farmers' key demands centred on securing remunerative prices for their produce and a comprehensive review of the sugar industry's minimum support pricing mechanism. The protest reflected mounting frustration among cultivators over persistently low returns despite rising production costs.

Local legislators Tenginakai and Patil intervened in the standoff, facilitating dialogue between the protesting farmers and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. Following these efforts, the farmer representatives agreed to shift discussions to the national capital, where they will engage in formal talks aimed at addressing their grievances.

With assurances of meaningful engagement at the Delhi negotiations, the farmers withdrew from the protest venue. The development suggests a significant step toward resolving the longstanding tensions between the farming community and policymakers over sugarcane pricing and sector viability.