Northern Karnataka farmers accept ₹3,600 per metric ton under profit-sharing
Sugarcane farmers in northern Karnataka have agreed to an initial payment of ₹3,600 per metric ton, with ₹3,500 as the first installment and ₹100 more to be paid after the crushing season ends, which should help kickstart crushing operations after Diwali.
This updated price is part of a profit-sharing model rolled out in Belagavi to try and keep both farmers and mill owners happy.
Farmers demand ₹4,500 per metric ton
Even with the higher rate, many farmers are still protesting.
They're pushing for at least ₹4,500 per metric ton in areas where sugar recovery is low and want the state to set prices that factor in profits from by-products too.
Plus, they're asking for fairer pricing at the farm gate so they aren't losing money on harvest or transport costs, pointing out that states like Tamil Nadu and Punjab already do this better.