Mysuru: Farmers seek ₹4,500 a tonne for sugarcane

The State Sugarcane Growers’ Association on Tuesday staged a protest in Mysuru urging the government to fix the sugarcane price at ₹4,500 a tonne.

The farmers pointed out that the Centre has fixed the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) at ₹3,550 a tonne for the current year. They demanded that the State announce an additional State Advised Price (SAP) and ensure payment at ₹4,500 a tonne.

Led by Kurubur Shanthakumar, the protesters gathered in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office and later submitted a memorandum to tahsildar Rekha who received on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner.

The State Farmers’ Organisations Federation and the Sugarcane Growers’ Association also demanded that profits from by-products of Bannari Sugar Factory for the previous year be shared with farmers and sought revision of FRP in line with the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) report and fixation at ₹4,500 a tonne at the farmers’ field.

The memorandum stated that in 2023-24, the State government had announced an additional ₹150 a tonne, which factories are yet to pay. The arrears, along with interest, must be cleared immediately, the associations said.

The farmers said the demand for urea has gone up due to increased paddy cultivation in the district, and urged the government to ensure its easy availability.

During the protest, the protesters raised the issue of small and marginal farmers at Kadakola village in Mysuru taluk, who were losing land due to a high-tension power line passing through Vajamangala. They demanded alternative land or compensation.