Former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai has demanded urgent government intervention to ensure sugarcane farmers receive a fair price of ₹3,500 per tonne
Bengaluru
Senior BJP leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take immediate action to ensure that sugarcane farmers receive a fair procurement price of ₹3,500 per tonne. He suggested that sugar factories pay ₹3,300 per tonne, while the state government contribute ₹200 per tonne to meet the farmers’ demand. Alleging that several ministers have vested interests in the sugar industry, Bommai appealed to the Chief Minister to personally intervene and resolve the crisis.
For the seventh consecutive day, sugarcane farmers across north Karnataka—particularly in Belagavi, Bagalkote, and Haveri districts—have been protesting to demand a higher procurement price. The agitation has gained widespread support from farmer associations, students, and opposition parties, with several key routes in Belagavi blocked on Tuesday.
Bommai criticised Siddaramaiah for “ignoring farmers’ concerns” and being “preoccupied with political calculations.” He pointed out that the issue of sugarcane pricing recurs annually, despite factories earning additional income from by-products such as ethanol and electricity. The former Chief Minister stressed that this additional revenue enables factories to pay farmers the rate they are demanding.
Under the law, the state government has the power to fix sugarcane prices, Bommai said, urging it to issue an order matching the farmers’ request. He added that Karnataka earns around ₹27,000 crore from sugar and its by-products, making it feasible for the government to bear a part of the cost. Bommai further proposed Power Purchase Agreements similar to Maharashtra’s, allowing factories to earn higher returns and support farmers better.