HAVERI: Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi has appealed to the agitating sugarcane farmers to withdraw their protest, assuring that the Union Government is committed to resolving the problems faced by them. He also conveyed that the Centre is ready to hold talks if the farmers’ leaders come forward for discussions again.
Joshi said that the Centre is committed to resolving the problems faced by sugarcane farmers and the committee, headed by agricultural expert Ramesh Chand, is expected to begin its study soon. “Since farmers are the backbone of the country’s economy.
There is no question of neglecting them,” the Dharwad MP said, adding that the committee would conduct a comprehensive assessment of the issues and demands raised by sugarcane growers, including the State Advised Price (SAP).
Stating that the Centre had to consider the interests of sugarcane growers, sugar mills and consumers while taking decisions on pricing, Joshi said discussions would be more productive if a small delegation of five or six key farmer representatives participated in the negotiations.
He added that he would not take offence at remarks made by some protesters in the heat of the agitation, saying criticism was part of public life. He further said that sugar was produced in 10-11 states and the Centre needed to consult all of them before arriving at a comprehensive solution.
The procurement of agricultural produce at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) had increased since 2014, and the Centre was procuring paddy and wheat in accordance with the quantities produced by farmers, he said.
Urging the State Government to announce SAP for sugarcane immediately, Joshi said he had written to the State Government on the issue in 2025 and had again written to Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and also raised the issue during the former’s recent Delhi visit.
He said the Centre is also working to support the sugar industry through increased ethanol procurement. Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh were among the major ethanol-producing states.
