Fix sugarcane prices before starting harvesting, mills told

Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff has directed sugar factories in Kalaburagi district to reach an agreement with sugarcane growers on procurement prices, transportation costs and other issues within a week before commencing harvesting for the 2026-27 crushing season.

Chairing a meeting of sugarcane growers and representatives of the district’s five sugar factories at the Zilla Panchayat office in Kalaburagi on Thursday, he urged the factories to consult one another and arrive at a consensus on a fair price, as the crop is ready for harvesting.

Pointing to the severe drought affecting farmers, Mr. Shariff asked the factories to be generous while fixing prices, noting that sugar and ethanol prices have increased and mills are making profits. He urged them to share the benefits with growers.

Expressing displeasure over discrimination in harvesting schedules, different prices offered by different factories, irregularities in weighing and delays in payments, he directed the mills to clear pending dues and make payments to farmers within a stipulated period.

He also instructed all factories to introduce an SMS-based system to inform farmers about harvesting schedules, sugarcane weight, payment details and pending dues. He asked the Legal Metrology Department to carry out surprise inspections at sugar factories in view of complaints of irregularities in weighing.

Notice issued

Mr. Shariff directed the authorities to issue a show-cause notice to Renuka Sugars after farmer leader Ramesh Patil said that ash emitted by the factory has damaged crops in surrounding areas.

Questioning the factory’s failure to prevent pollution despite the availability of modern technology, he instructed environmental officer Venkatesh to issue the notice. He also directed officials to inspect all sugar factories before the crushing season begins and verify the measures taken to control pollution.

₹5,500 per tonne

Representatives of farmers demanded a price of ₹5,500 per tonne of sugarcane, citing the drought. They sought immediate clearance of pending payments. They also demanded a uniform price across factories above the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), exemption from toll charges for vehicles transporting sugarcane, weighing at factory gates in the presence of farmers and an additional incentive of ₹500 per tonne from the State government.

The other demands include compensation for sugarcane crops burnt in electrical accidents and SMS alerts on payments and outstanding dues.

Farmer leaders Ramesh Hougar, Sharanabasappa Mamshetty, Dharmaraj Sahu, Srimant Biradar and Ramesh Patil raised various concerns at the meeting.