Karnataka sugarcane farmers agree to Delhi talks after Hubballi protest
Thousands of sugarcane farmers from Karnataka and neighbouring States protested in Hubballi over cane prices, sugar’s minimum selling price and unpaid dues. After some protesters reached a Union minister’s residence, local legislators persuaded farmer leaders to send a 30-member delegation to New Delhi on October 10.
Thousands of sugarcane growers from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana agreed to hold talks in New Delhi after a major protest in Hubballi over prices and other demands. The farmers, organised by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene, gathered at Kittur Chennamma Circle on Tuesday. They sought a remunerative sugarcane price, a revision of sugar’s minimum selling price and the settlement of pending cane payments.
The farmer leaders demanded that sugarcane be priced at ₹5,500 a tonne for the 2026-27 crushing season. They also called for the minimum selling price of sugar to rise from ₹31 a kilogram to ₹60, saying it had not been revised for several years. Other demands included a higher procurement price for ethanol, permission for mills to sell their entire ethanol output, clearance of outstanding sugarcane dues and implementation of the recommendations of the M.S.
Swaminathan Commission. After a deadline set by the protesters expired, some farmers marched towards the residence of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. Some broke through police barricades and reached the residence, while police prevented them from laying siege to it.
Another group was stopped at Ramesh Bhavan. Joshi appealed in a video message for the farmers to come to Delhi for talks. The protesters initially said they wanted him to meet them in Dharwad.
Later, legislators Mahesh Tenginakai and M.R. Patil persuaded the leaders to withdraw, promising to take 30 farmers to New Delhi on October 10 and cover their expenses. The protest blocked Kittur Chennamma Circle and other roads, causing hours of traffic congestion.
The farmers later moved to Nehru Stadium before returning to their respective areas.
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