Politics · India · 4 hrs ago
India to form committee on sugarcane farmers’ grievances
The Indian government plans to set up a committee within a week to address concerns raised by sugarcane farmers from Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Food Minister Pralhad Joshi met about 80 to 90 farmers and other representatives in New Delhi.
Farmers said they face problems with mills’ sugar recovery figures, weighing and payments, and want higher prices as production costs rise.
They also asked for the minimum selling price of sugar to rise from Rs 31 to Rs 50 per kilogram.
For the 2026-27 season, the government has set the minimum price mills must pay for cane at Rs 365 per quintal, based on a specified sugar recovery rate.
The committee will include government, farmer and mill representatives, as well as experts, and examine issues such as weighing accuracy and laboratory testing.
It is expected to make recommendations within a set timeframe, while farmers say they still want an immediate increase in support prices.
The Centre will set up a high-level committee within a week to address sugarcane farmers’ grievances from Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The committee will include government representatives, farmer organisations, sugar mills, experts and scientists.
Farmers raised concerns about sugar recovery figures, weighing and payments during talks with Union ministers in New Delhi.
They also sought higher support prices, citing rising production costs.
The panel is to examine technical issues and submit recommendations within a stipulated timeframe.
- Who
- The Centre, represented by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Food Minister Pralhad Joshi, met farmers from Maharashtra and Karnataka.
- What
- The Centre announced a high-level committee to address farmers’ grievances. Farmers also sought higher support prices.
- When
- Monday, October 12, 2026.
- Where
- New Delhi; the Economic Times reported that the talks were held at the Pusa campus.
- Why
- Farmers raised concerns about sugar recovery figures, weighing and payments, and cited rising production costs.
The Centre
Sugarcane farmers
Committee
The Centre
The Centre announced a committee to examine technical issues and recommend measures within a stipulated timeframe.
Sugarcane farmers
Bhuvanesh Sidhapur said setting up a committee was long-drawn and called for an immediate increase in support prices.
Support price
The Centre
The Centre said the Fair and Remunerative Price for the 2026-27 season was fixed at Rs 365 per quintal.
Sugarcane farmers
The Karnataka Sugarcane Growers Association sought at least Rs 550 per quintal, citing increased production costs.
The 2026-27 sugar season began.
Union ministers held talks with farmers from Maharashtra and Karnataka in New Delhi.
The Centre announced it would set up a high-level joint committee within a week.
- Committee deadline
- Within a week
- Farmer delegation
- About 80-90 farmers
- States represented
- Maharashtra and Karnataka
- FRP for 2026-27 season
- Rs 365 per quintal at a basic recovery of 10.25 per cent
- Sugar MSP sought by farmers
- Rs 50 per kg, up from Rs 31 per kg
- Association's requested support price
- At least Rs 550 per quintal
What people are saying
Exploitation of farmers, who provide food, will not be tolerated under any circumstances
Setting up a committee is long-drawn. We need an immediate solution, i.e., an increase in support price. We will discuss with the fellow farmers and decide next course of action.
Sources
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