Come to Delhi for Discussion Instead of Protest: Pralhad Joshi to Hubballi Farmers

Hubballi: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday appealed to Karnataka's sugarcane growers to come to Delhi for discussions on their demand for a higher Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), saying there was no need to stage protests on the streets and assuring them that the Centre was ready to hear their grievances.

The appeal came on the day a protest has been planned by the Karnataka State Raitha Sena in Hubballi, where farmers will march towards Joshi's residence and office to demand a remunerative price for sugarcane and implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.

"I request you to come for discussions with us at any time in Delhi. I once again appeal to you that there is no need for anyone to stage a protest on the streets. If you come, we will discuss the matter with you. I request you to please come," Joshi said in a video message.

The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said farmer leaders had met him in February this year and sought an increase in the FRP, following which the Centre raised it by Rs 365 in May.

"First of all, in February 2026, some farmer leaders met me unexpectedly when I was leaving for an event and submitted a request seeking an increase in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane," he said.

Joshi said he had told the delegation at the time that the Narendra Modi government had been increasing the FRP every year and would continue to do so.

He said some farmers now appeared to be under the impression that their request had not been considered because there had been no further discussion with them after the May increase.

"I want to humbly tell everyone that, as we do every year, we have done it this year as well. We had received demands from our protesters and from various other quarters, and we acted on them," he said.

Joshi also explained that the Centre alone does not determine the FRP and that the process involves consideration of inputs from a price-fixing committee and the state government.

"At the state level, there is a Cane Commissioner. We obtain detailed information from the state government and take its recommendations into consideration while determining the FRP. This applies across the entire country," he said.

The minister said the government was open to further discussions with farmers and offered to facilitate direct interaction between farmer leaders and officials in Delhi.

"If any farmer leaders come to Delhi, they are welcome. We will receive them with great respect, bring them together with the officials and hear all their concerns. If anything more can be done, the Modi government is always open to it," he said.

Joshi also said the Centre would take farmers' concerns seriously, pointing out that governments depended on the support of farmers and their cooperation.

"All of us are firmly conscious that we are in this position because of the cooperation and support of farmer brothers and farmers like you," he said.