Sugarcane growers in Mysuru meet DC, demand ₹4,500 per tonne

The Hindu

10-07-2025

Terming the current Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of ₹150 per tonne for sugarcane as 'unscientific', sugarcane growers in Mysuru have demanded that the government fix the price at ₹4,500 per tonne, as recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) report. They said that the price fixation needs to be reconsidered in the interest of farmers.
In connection with their demands, members of the State Federation of Farmers' Organisations and the State Sugarcane Growers' Association met Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy on Thursday, and submitted a memorandum seeking fulfillment of their long-pending issues.
Mr. Reddy had convened a meeting of farmers' representatives at the ZP hall here to discuss the problems of sugarcane growers. Farmers representing various organisations attended.
During the meeting, the farmers pointed out that the profits earned by sugar factories from sugarcane by-products should be shared with the growers. Although the Centre had fixed an additional ₹150 per tonne for sugarcane last year, the factories have not implemented the revised rate, they alleged. They demanded that the factories pay the pending dues along with interest.
Many farmers argued that the FRP should be considered as the price of produce at the farmers' fields. To prevent losses due to 'incorrect' weighing, they urged the government to establish weighing bridges in front of all sugar factories, they said, in their memorandum.
Raising concerns over water for irrigation, the farmers demanded that lakes be filled with water from the Cauvery and Kabini rivers.
They also urged the Deputy Commissioner to take strict action against illegal resorts that have cropped up near the Kabini backwaters, and to prevent illegal developments in the future.
Leaders including Attahalli Devaraj, Baradanapura Nagaraj, and Kiragasur Shankar were present.