Sugarcane Farmers Block Highways in Karnataka, Demand Higher Prices
Protests were reported from Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura and Dharwad districts, disrupting traffic on key highways, including the Pune-Bengaluru route and National Highway 50 near Nidagundi
Bengaluru: Sugarcane farmers blocked national highways at several places in Karnataka on Tuesday, demanding higher prices for their produce and implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations. Protests were reported from Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura and Dharwad districts, disrupting traffic on key highways, including the Pune-Bengaluru route and National Highway 50 near Nidagundi.
In Belagavi district, farmers blocked both carriageways of the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway near Hattargi toll plaza in Hukkeri taluk.
Protests were also reported at the Kugnoli check-post and Hirebagewadi toll plaza in Belagavi district.
Farmers said they would continue their agitation until their demands were met. Their meeting with union ministers in Delhi on Monday failed to yield an immediate decision on sugarcane prices.
They have been seeking an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP), determination of the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) and implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations.
The Swaminathan Report, officially known as the report of the National Commission on Farmers (NCF), was a comprehensive blueprint for structural reforms in Indian agriculture. Chaired by agricultural scientist Prof M S Swaminathan, the commission was established in 2004.
The agitation was being led by farmer leaders on the national highway. Some protesters lay down in front of vehicles to prevent traffic movement.
In Bagalkot district, farmers blocked the Raichur-Solapur National Highway near Govinda Patti, bringing trucks and other vehicles to a standstill.
Farmers affiliated with Hasiru Sene (Green Army) blocked National Highway 50 on the outskirts of Nidagundi town, disrupting traffic between Vijayapura and Bengaluru.
Police held discussions with the protesters, but the farmers insisted that the blockade would continue until their demands were fulfilled.
In Dharwad, farmer organisations called for a highway blockade near Palikkoppa, prompting the police to deploy additional personnel, including Karnataka State Reserve Police personnel, as a precautionary measure.
Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday appealed to the farmers to withdraw their agitation, assuring them that the Centre would address their concerns.
"The Government of India, the Modi government, is with you. This cannot be done by one or two ministries alone; several ministries are involved. State governments also have a role to play -- all state governments," he said after a meeting with farmer leaders.
Joshi said he and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had heard the farmers' grievances and that a committee would be constituted to examine the issues.
"Before determining these prices, we officially obtain information from the state governments. Since several factors are involved, there is no need for anyone to become agitated," he said, appealing to the farmers not to take to the streets.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who also held discussions with Joshi on Monday night, said the issue required consultations with other states.
"Farmers are protesting to demand a higher price for their sugarcane. We discussed what needs to be done -- the situation of farmers in the state and the condition of the factories," he told reporters here.
"This is not an issue confined to our state alone. They have to consult other states as well. They have said that they will speak to everyone and arrive at a decision," he added.
