Archive · 6 Nov 2025
Karnataka CM Addresses Farmer Protests, Seeks Modi's Intervention on Sugarcane Prices
Farmers in Karnataka are upset because they want more money for the sugarcane they grow.
The state's Chief Minister says that the national government decides the minimum price for sugarcane, not the state.
He is meeting with farmer leaders and sugar factory owners to talk about this.
He also plans to ask the Prime Minister to meet him to discuss the problem.
The Chief Minister explained that the price is based on how much sugar can be made from the sugarcane.
He also feels that the national government isn't giving enough of a chance for Karnataka to produce fuel from sugar, called ethanol.
Farmers are blocking roads to get attention for their demands.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah convened meetings on November 7 to address the ongoing farmer agitation.
Farmers are demanding Rs 3,500 per tonne for sugarcane, while the Centre has fixed the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) at Rs 3,550 per tonne with 10.25% recovery.
The Chief Minister stated that the Central government, not the state, is responsible for fixing the FRP and the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugar.
Siddaramaiah alleged that the Centre is unfairly allotting ethanol production quotas, disadvantaging Karnataka.
The CM plans to seek an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the farmers' issues and demands.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, farmer leaders, sugar factory owners, Central Government
- What
- Intensified farmer agitation demanding higher sugarcane prices, leading to CM convening meetings and planning to meet PM Modi.
- When
- CM convened meetings on November 7, 2024; PM Modi meeting to be sought.
- Where
- North Karnataka (agitation), Bengaluru (meetings), Delhi (potential meeting with PM Modi)
- Why
- Farmers are demanding Rs 3,500 per tonne for sugarcane, higher than the Centre-decided FRP, and are expressing dissatisfaction with ethanol production allotments.
Karnataka State Government
Farmers and Opposition Parties
Responsibility for FRP Fixation
Karnataka State Government
The state government asserts that the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane is fixed by the Central government, not the state. The state's role is to implement it.
Farmers and Opposition Parties
Farmers and opposition parties are demanding a higher sugarcane price, implying that the state government has a greater role or responsibility in setting prices beyond the FRP.
Ethanol Production Allotment
Karnataka State Government
The Chief Minister alleges that the Central government is playing games with Karnataka's farmers by allotting only 47 crore liters of ethanol production to the state, despite Karnataka producing 270 crore liters.
Farmers and Opposition Parties
The article does not explicitly state the opposing view on ethanol allotment but implies dissatisfaction from farmers and opposition regarding the central government's decisions impacting farmers.
Farmer Agitation and Misinformation
Karnataka State Government
The Chief Minister believes farmers are being misled by the opposition playing politics and appeals to them not to succumb to such statements, while also asking them not to block highways to avoid public inconvenience.
Farmers and Opposition Parties
Farmers are intensifying their agitation, demanding a higher sugarcane price (Rs 3,500 per tonne), indicating a lack of satisfaction with current pricing and a belief that their demands are justified.
- Sugarcane FRP (2024-25)
- Rs 3,550 per tonne (with 10.25% recovery)
- Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Sugar
- Rs 31 per kg (decided by Centre)
- Karnataka Sugarcane Production
- 41 lakh tonnes (compared to national export permit of 10 lakh tonnes)
- Karnataka Ethanol Production
- 270 crore liters
- Ethanol Allotment to Karnataka
- 47 crore liters
- Meeting with Farmer Leaders
- Friday, November 7
- Meeting with Sugar Factory Owners
- Friday, November 7 (11 am - 1 pm)
