The north Karnataka region is seeing intense protest that is only spreading across neighbouring regions over the prices of sugarcane, an issue the state government struggles to address. Farmers have been protesting at Gurlapur Cross in Mudalagi taluk of Belagavi district for over a week now. The agitation has now spread across various parts of north Karnataka districts like Belagavi, Bagalkote, Vijayapura, Haveri among others.
The matter escalated on Thursday when protesting farmers allegedly threw slippers at State Minister Shivanand Patil’s car when he was leaving the protest site in Belagavi. They demand a higher price for their produce.
Minister Shivananad Patil had reached the spot to urge the farmers not to escalate the situation. Now, farmers unions have hinted at more intense agitation if no concrete decision emerges from Friday’s meeting between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and factory owners.
What is the contention?
The sugarcane farmers in the region want a Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of Rs 3,500 per tonne for their produce. They said the current price fixed by the Centre does not cover their production costs and debt burden. Many others have accused sugar companies of making heavy deductions from the payout. Earlier, they had refused to meet CM Siddaramaiah, and now the CM has written to the Prime Minister about the same.
They are firm on their demand, stating that sugar mills should pay ₹3,500 per tonne, and if they fail to do so, the state government should bridge the gap, added a report.
In his letter, the Karnataka CM sought an urgent appointment to discuss the “serious situation arising out of the ongoing agitation by sugarcane farmers” in North Karnataka, particularly in Belagavi, Bagalkote, Vijayapura, Vijayanagara, Bidar, Gadag, Hubli-Dharwad and Haveri districts.
The Chief Minister stated in the letter, dated November 6, that, despite the State Government’s sustained efforts to engage both farmers and sugar mill owners in dialogue, the agitation has intensified, and a growing sense of unrest is emerging among the farming community.
State blames Centre and vice versa
As the farmers continue agitation, the political parties show no sign of attitude aimed at solving the crisis. On the reports of a possible National Highway blockade, Minister Shivananad Patil said, “I am here to make an appeal, not to escalate the situation. The power to fix sugarcane prices does not lie with the state government–it is under the jurisdiction of the Central Government. The Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is decided by the Centre. The Union Minister for Sugar, who is also from our state, has not yet taken any initiative. The authority and responsibility to resolve this issue rest with the Central Government.”
Meanwhile, BJP leader R Ashoka has asked the Chief Minister to tender his resignation if he can’t govern. “7 days, thousands of sugarcane farmers on the streets, but CM Siddaramaiah has just one solution: Blame the Centre,” Ashoka added in a post on ‘X’.
7 days, thousands of sugarcane farmers on the streets, but CM @siddaramaiah has just one solution:
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) November 7, 2025
Blame the Centre.
When in Opposition, he gave big sermons. Now he hides behind excuses and abandons farmers.
If you can’t govern, resign and quit.
We demand:
✅ ₹500/tonne… pic.twitter.com/SAhVjxRXt4
“But now (as CM), he hides behind excuses and abandons farmers. If you (Siddaramaiah) can’t govern, resign and quit.”
He said the root of the problem lies in central policies: the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) formula, the stagnating Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugar, export curbs and the under-utilised ethanol off take from sugar-based feedstock.
“He has now asked the PM for an appointment to discuss the issue. “We demand: Rs 500/tonne incentive above FRP, Rs 5,000 crore revolving fund, and Immediate intervention – not press conferences”,” he added.
ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಸ್ಥಾನ ಉಳಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಪರದಾಡುತ್ತಾ ಹತಾಶೆಯಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @siddaramaiah ನವರು, ಮನಸ್ಸೊ ಇಚ್ಛೆ ಮಾತಾನಾಡುತ್ತಾ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ರೈತರು ಮತ್ತು ಜನರನ್ನು ದಾರಿತಪ್ಪಿಸಲು ದುಸ್ಸಾಹಸಕ್ಕೆ ಕೈಹಾಕಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) November 7, 2025
ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯನವರು ಕಬ್ಬು ಬೆಳೆಗಾರರ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗಳನ್ನು ಆಲಿಸುವಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಫಲರಾಗಿ, ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಮೇಲೆ ಬೆರಳು ತೋರಿ… pic.twitter.com/pWdem1CyCP
On the other hand, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi countered Siddaramaiah, calling his allegations lie and gesture “petty politics”. Joshi asserted that Karnataka’s ethanol allocation for 2025-26 is 116.31 crore litres, and not what the CM claimed.
He added that the FRP, based on a 10.5% recovery rate, is already ₹3,636 per tonne. He asked the state government to resolve issues and stop blaming the Centre.
