Karnataka Sugarcane Farmers Flock to Maharashtra Mills for Higher Prices
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A growing number of sugarcane farmers in Karnataka, particularly along the state's border with Maharashtra, are switching their harvest to mills across the border in search of better prices. According to official records, over 25,000 farmers from the Kittur region in Karnataka have been selling their produce to mills in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, for years. The decision to shift to Maharashtra mills has been driven by the state government's recent announcement of a revised sugar cane procurement price of ₹3,300 per tonne, which is still lower than the prevailing rate in Maharashtra. Farmers in Belagavi and Bagalkot districts have expressed their dissatisfaction with the revised rate, citing the higher prices offered by mills in Maharashtra. The issue of fair business practices and timely payments has been a long-standing problem for farmers in Karnataka. As per Siddagouda Modagi, president of the Karnataka Sugarcane Growers Association, mills in Belagavi have failed to match Maharashtra's aggressive pricing, while also facing allegations of manipulating cane weight and delaying payments. The situation has been exacerbated by the fact that several mills in Belagavi are linked to political leaders, which has led to a lack of accountability and transparency. Protests have intensified in recent weeks, with demonstrations and road blockades taking place across Belagavi and Bagalkot. In a bid to address the concerns of farmers, Maharashtra mills have announced higher prices. Bidri Sugar Factory has declared ₹3,614 per tonne, while Dalmia Bharat Sugars is offering ₹3,525, and Bhogavati Sugar Factory has announced ₹3,653 per tonne, the highest so far. Experts attribute the price gap to the difference in recovery rates between the two states. Maharashtra's average recovery stands at around 13%, enabling mills to offer higher procurement prices. In contrast, Belagavi records an average recovery of just 11%, restricting mill owners' willingness to increase prices. As the economic gap continues to widen, farmers are being forced to reconsider where they sell their cane. Choonappa Poojari, state president of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene, said the shift towards Maharashtra mills is a practical choice for farmers seeking fair compensation.
