Sugarcane price fixed at ₹2,900 per tonne in Bidar

The district administration has fixed the price of sugarcane at ₹2,900 per tonne for the current crushing season. The decision was taken at a meeting of representatives of sugarcane growers and sugar factory managements chaired by Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma at her office there on Thursday.

Announcing the decision, Ms. Sharma said that the rate has been fixed keeping in view the interests of both farmers and factories.

She said that farmers will receive ₹250 more than last year, when the price stood at ₹2,650 per tonne.

Earlier, the State government and factory representatives proposed ₹2,850 per tonne, with ₹50 each as additional contribution from itself and the factories.

However, following Wednesday’s protest by sugarcane growers in Humnabad, the Deputy Commissioner visited the protest site and promised to hold talks with all stakeholders.

Accordingly, the meeting was convened, bringing together farmer leaders, sugarcane growers associations and managing directors of local sugar factories.

During the discussion, farmers urged the administration to fix the price at ₹3,100 per tonne, citing severe crop loss due to drought and heavy dependence on sugarcane.

After detailed deliberation, Ms. Sharma announced ₹2,900 per tonne as the final price, stating that the decision aimed to ensure sustainability for both farmers and factories. She said that the administration will monitor the timely payment of this amount by the factories.

The Deputy Commissioner said that recovery rate in Bidar is 9.6, similar to that of Haveri, where farmers have agreed to the same rate.

Some farmer leaders, however, expressed their displeasure with the decision and said they will continue their agitation demanding ₹3,100 per tonne.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Director of Food and Civil Supplies Praveen Baragal, several farmer leaders and the managing directors and owners of sugar factories.