Karnataka sugarcane deadlock nears end after 10-hour marathon talks led by CM Shivakumar
A prolonged deadlock between sugarcane growers and sugar mill owners in Karnataka has moved closer to resolution after Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar mediated between the two sides for nearly 10 hours in Belagavi on October 25.
The two sides have agreed in principle that the price sugar factories pay farmers will be determined after the Union government fixes the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar, Mr. Shivakumar said. Representatives of farmers and sugar mills are expected to announce their final decision within two days, following further consultations.
The negotiations were held at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha and the Circuit House, beginning around 11 a.m. and continuing until midnight. Five rounds of discussions were conducted, involving farmers' representatives, sugar mill owners, nine Ministers and around 70 legislators. Representatives of 79 of the 80 sugar factories in Karnataka participated in the talks.
Speaking to reporters after the negotiations, Mr. Shivakumar said mill owners had agreed to the proposed approach of linking the price payable to growers to the Centre's decision on the minimum selling price of sugar. The farmers, however, sought two days to discuss the proposal among themselves before arriving at a final decision.
He said the Karnataka government would support both farmers and mill owners in reaching a settlement, and would continue engaging with the Union government on the issue. The farmers had already held discussions with a Union Minister and received assurances, he added.
Final decision awaited
The understanding reached during the negotiations on October 25 is yet to receive the final endorsement of farmers. Their representatives will discuss among themselves over the next two days before announcing their decision.
Mr. Shivakumar said the government's priority is to safeguard the livelihood of farmers while ensuring the viability of sugar factories. He assured the stakeholders that the Karnataka government remains ready to hold discussions with the Centre to facilitate a resolution.
The negotiations continued at the Circuit House after the initial discussions at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, as Mr. Shivakumar sought to bridge differences between the farmers and mill owners. The discussions culminated in an agreement in principle on the mechanism for determining the price payable to farmers.
The final settlement will depend on the Centre's decision on sugar's minimum selling price and the subsequent agreement between the two sides.
Ministers, legislators and farmer leaders participate in discussions
Ministers Satish Jarkiholi, Laxman Savadi, Santosh Lad and Yashwantray Gowda Patil, along with MLA N.H. Konareddy, were among those who participated in the discussions.
Badagalapura Nagendra, Chunnappa Pujari, Kuruburu Shanthakumar and Chukki Nanjundaswamy represented the farmers. The sugar industry was represented by Sangameshwar Nirani, Yogish Patil, Channaraj Hattiholi and Vivek Hebbar.
The Chief Minister's Economic Adviser L. Ateeq, Additional Chief Secretary Tushar Girinath and Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan were among the officials present.
Sugarcane pricing has been a recurring point of friction between growers and mills in Karnataka, with farmers pressing for a remunerative rate and factories citing cost pressures. The proposal now on the table ties what growers are paid to the Centre's decision on the minimum selling price of sugar, a link that both sides have yet to formally ratify.
The protracted negotiations have raised hopes of a resolution to the differences over sugarcane prices. However, a final agreement is awaited, with both sides expected to announce their decision within two days.
