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Farmers protesting over sugarcane pricing intensified their agitation in Hubballi on Tuesday, demanding a hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugarcane and implementation of their long-pending demands, while Union Minister Prahlad Joshi invited farmer leaders to Delhi for discussions.
The protest continued at Chennamma Circle, where farmers raised concerns over sugarcane pricing policies and demanded an increase in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), mandatory procurement of ethanol produced in the state and implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report. Farmer leader Channappa Pujari said sugarcane growers were being affected due to inadequate pricing and alleged that farmers were being paid rates that were prevalent years ago. The protesters demanded fixing an MSP of Rs 60 per kg for sugarcane and urged the government to take decisions at the Cabinet level before any further discussions. "The government must protect the farmers who feed the nation," Pujari said. The agitation intensified when farmers attempted to march towards Union Minister Prahlad Joshis residence and tried to cross barricades. Police intervened, following which the protest shifted to the vicinity of Ramesh Bhavan. Meanwhile, Joshi, in a video statement from New Delhi, said farmer leaders had met him in February 2026 seeking an increase in sugarcane FRP. He said the FRP has been increased every year under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership and was raised to Rs 365 in May based on recommendations of the Price Fixation Committee and the State Cane Commissioner. Joshi invited farmer leaders and protesters to visit New Delhi for discussions with concerned officials. "The Modi government is always ready to take decisions in the interest of farmers," Joshi said, assuring them that their concerns would be heard and efforts would be made to find solutions. Later, BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginakayi visited the protest site at Ramesh Bhavan and conveyed Joshis message to the farmers, urging them to consider the ministers invitation for talks in Delhi. The farmers are yet to decide on the next course of action, with protesters maintaining that concrete decisions on sugarcane pricing and procurement remain their primary demands. (ANI)
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