Published Sep 29, 2026 | 6:09 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 29, 2026 | 6:09 PM
Sugarcane farmers' protest in Hubballi on Tuesday.
Synopsis: The protesting farmers demanded implementation of key recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, an increase in the minimum selling price of sugar, and changes to sugar factories’ ethanol sales. They cited rising expenditure on labour, fertilisers, harvesting and transportation as reasons for seeking a higher sugarcane price. The protesters also announced plans to march to Joshi’s residence and office in Hubballi.
Thousands of sugarcane farmers staged a protest demonstration at Rani Chennamma Circle in Hubballi on Tuesday, 29 September, demanding that the sugarcane price for the 2026-27 season be fixed at ₹5,500 per tonne.
The farmers came out to the streets in protest despite Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi inviting them to a meeting in Delhi to discuss the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane with officials.
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene led the farmers’ protest.
“There is no need for you to protest or sit on the streets. If you come to Delhi, we will hold discussions with you. I request you to come,” the Minister said on X on Monday, 28 September.
According to media reports, protest organisers claimed that farmers from 31 districts of Karnataka participated in the demonstration, along with growers and farmer representatives from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The reports said the protesters were also seeking implementation of key recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, an increase in the minimum selling price of sugar and changes concerning ethanol sales by sugar factories.
Farmer leaders cited rising expenditure on labour, fertilisers, harvesting and transportation as reasons for seeking a higher sugarcane price.
The protesters also announced plans to march to Joshi’s residence and office in Hubballi.
Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner visited the protest site and spoke to KRRS–Hasiru Sene state president Chunnappa Pujari about the agitation and the proposed march.
Joshi said on X that farmer representatives had met him in February seeking an FRP increase and that the Centre subsequently raised the price to ₹365 per quintal in May.
“The Central government does not decide the FRP alone,” Joshi said, adding that it considered recommendations from the price-fixing mechanism and the state government, including the Cane Commissioner.
Inviting the protesters to New Delhi for talks, Joshi said they would be received “with utmost respect,” and their concerns would be discussed with officials. “If there is anything further that can be done, the Modi government is always open to it,” he said.
According to a Press Information Bureau release, the estimated cost of sugarcane production for the 2026-27 season is ₹182 per quintal, while the FRP of ₹365 per quintal is 100.5% above this cost.
ನನಗೆ ಫೆಬ್ರವರಿ 2026ರಲ್ಲಿ ರೈತ ಮುಖಂಡರು ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗಿ, ಕಬ್ಬಿನ ಎಫ್ಆರ್ಪಿ (FRP) ಬೆಲೆಯನ್ನು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸಬೇಕೆಂದು ವಿನಂತಿಸಿದ್ದರು. ಪ್ರಧಾನಮಂತ್ರಿ ಶ್ರೀ ನರೇಂದ್ರ ಮೋದಿ @narendramodi ಅವರ ನೇತೃತ್ವದ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಪ್ರತಿ ವರ್ಷ ಎಫ್ಆರ್ಪಿಯನ್ನು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದು, ಮೇ ತಿಂಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇದನ್ನು ₹365 ಕ್ಕೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ.
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) September 28, 2026
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
