Prahlad Joshi Invites Karnataka Sugarcane Farmers to Delhi for Talks on Sugarcane Pricing

Union Minister says farmers can raise their concerns directly with the Centre as protests continue in Hubballi

HUBBALLI, September 29, 2026: Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi has invited Karnataka’s sugarcane farmers and their representatives to Delhi for discussions on their demand for a higher Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane.

The appeal came amid a farmers’ protest in Hubballi, where sugarcane growers and farmer organisations are seeking a more remunerative price for their produce and implementation of the recommendations associated with the Swaminathan Commission.

In a video message, Joshi said farmer representatives could come to Delhi and discuss their concerns with him and the concerned officials. He also appealed to farmers to use dialogue with the government to present their demands.

FRP for 2026-27 fixed at ₹365 per quintal

The Union government had approved an FRP of ₹365 per quintal for sugarcane for the 2026-27 sugar season, which began on October 1, 2026. The approved rate is based on a basic sugar recovery rate of 10.25 percent.

Under the approved formula, farmers receive a premium of ₹3.56 per quintal for every 0.1 percentage-point increase in recovery above 10.25 percent, while the FRP is reduced by the same amount for every 0.1 percentage-point decline.

The government has also provided that there will be no deduction where a sugar mill records a recovery rate below 9.5 percent. In such cases, farmers will receive ₹338.30 per quintal, according to the Union government’s announcement.

Minister outlines how FRP is determined

Joshi said the FRP is not determined solely on the basis of a decision taken by the Union government. The process takes into account recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), inputs from state governments and consultations with other stakeholders.

He said detailed information is collected at the state level through the office of the Sugar Commissioner and that state-level recommendations are also considered while finalising the national FRP.

The Centre has stated that the 2026-27 FRP was determined on the basis of CACP recommendations and consultations with state governments and other stakeholders.

Government open to further discussions

Joshi said farmer leaders visiting Delhi would be welcomed and could hold discussions with the relevant authorities.

He indicated that the Centre remained open to examining additional issues raised by farmers and considering possible measures within the existing policy framework.

The minister also referred to his earlier interaction with farmer representatives in February, when a delegation had raised the issue of increasing the FRP. According to the government’s May decision, the new FRP represented a 2.81 percent increase over the 2025-26 season’s ₹355 per quintal.

Protests continue in Hubballi

The minister’s appeal comes against the backdrop of a farmers’ mobilisation in Hubballi led by the Karnataka State Raitha Sena.

According to reports, protesting farmers have demanded a higher price for sugarcane for the 2026-27 season, along with implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations. A report from Hubballi said thousands of farmers gathered at Rani Chennamma Circle on September 29, with a demand for a sugarcane price of ₹5,500 per tonne.

Security arrangements were strengthened in parts of Hubballi amid the demonstration, including barricading around the minister’s residence and office, according to the supplied report.

Farmer representatives from Karnataka and neighbouring states were also reported to have joined the mobilisation.

Dialogue now at the centre of the issue

With the new sugar season underway, the debate over sugarcane pricing has brought together two aspects of the issue: the Centre’s announced FRP framework and farmers’ demand for a higher remunerative price.

The Union government maintains that the FRP is determined through a structured process involving cost assessments, CACP recommendations and consultations, while protesting farmer groups are seeking further improvement in the returns available to sugarcane growers.

The proposed Delhi meeting could provide a platform for representatives to place their demands directly before the Centre and discuss the concerns surrounding sugarcane pricing.

(SDNA)