Massive Protest by Sugarcane Farmers in Karnataka, India
Frustrated by the government's inadequate response, sugarcane farmers in Karnataka have declared a plan to block the national highway on November 7. Their ongoing indefinite strike entered its seventh day on Wednesday, November 5, gaining strong public support.
Farmers' Demands and Challenges
Thousands of farmers from Belagavi, Bagalkot, and nearby districts insist on a fair price of ₹3,500 per tonne. This figure represents more than just a demand; it highlights the growing disparity between the cost of production and the payment they receive.
Structural Issues Affecting Farmers
- High irrigation expenses and unpredictable monsoon patterns burden farmers in northern Karnataka.
- Mills in the region are smaller and rely on outdated crushing technology.
- Many mills are controlled by politically connected industrial elites, causing conflicts of interest and weakening farmer protections.
- The "monopsony effect" means a few dominant buyers control sugarcane purchases, suppressing prices.
- Farmers often must sell to nearby mills, limiting their bargaining power especially when payments are delayed or weights are questioned.
The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), the state's largest farmers' federation, describes the crisis as "deep structural injustice," noting that growers have minimal influence over pricing or sales.
Author's summary: Sugarcane farmers in Karnataka protest the unfair pricing system caused by structural inequalities and monopolistic control, demanding ₹3,500 per tonne for their crop.