Farmers from Mysuru met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday during his visit to the city for the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting, urging him to release the State government’s contribution of Rs. 50 per tonne of sugarcane in the first installment itself, instead of the second instalment as stated in the recent order revising the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane.
The sugarcane rate has been increased by Rs. 100 per tonne, from Rs. 3,200 to Rs. 3,300 per tonne. The additional Rs. 100 is to be shared equally between the State government and sugar factories, contributing Rs. 50 each.
The revision came after widespread protests by sugarcane growers in Garlapur, Belagavi district, and other parts of North Karnataka.
While expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister for increasing the FRP, members of the Federation of Farmers’ Organisations and the State Sugarcane Growers’ Association appealed for a modification to ensure the State’s share is paid upfront in the first instalment. They cited severe financial difficulties faced by farmers as the reason for their request.
In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister, the associations also urged the government to take immediate steps to curb the escalating human-wildlife conflict in Mysuru district. They highlighted the growing number of attacks on people and livestock in forest-fringe villages, noting that three farmers had recently been killed in tiger attacks, while another injured farmer is undergoing treatment in hospital.
