Union minister, ex-CM spent the night pleading with sugarcane farmers

Sugarcane farmers take out a mock funeral procession of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi during the ‘Hubballi Chalo’ padayatra in Belagavi on October 16, 2026. Farmers renewed their protest on October 12 after discussions with the minister failed to end the impasse. | Photo credit: PK BADIGER

Union Minister for Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi has assured sugarcane growers in Karnataka that the Center will consider their demands positively.

He gave the assurance at a midnight meeting with farmers’ leaders in Hubballi on October 18. The meeting, which was held at a government guest house, continued till 3 am on October 19. The minister discussed the farmers’ demand for a remunerative price for sugarcane and other issues. Farmer leaders have decided to consult the wider farming community before announcing their next course of action.

Chunappa Pujeri, who represented farmers at the meeting, pressed for an increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for sugarcane, complete purchase of ethanol produced in Karnataka and separate pricing of commercial and domestic sugar with a higher price for commercially used sugar.

Responding to the demands, Mr. Joshi said the Center would make efforts to resolve the issues by bringing them before the committee. The committee is expected to start functioning in three days, he said, urging farmers to cooperate in the process and allow some time for their demands to be considered.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Mr. Pujeri said that the farmers’ meeting would be held at Tegur in Dharwad district at 11:00 am on October 19. The outcome of the discussions with the Union Minister will be explained to the farmers and their views will be sought before a decision is taken to continue the agitation.

The meeting was attended by Honorary President of Farmers Organization Shashikant Guruji, MP and former CM Jagadish Shettar, MLA CC Patil, MR Patil and Mahesh Tenginkai, Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan, Dharwad Deputy Commissioner Snehal R., CID Deputy Inspector General of Police Guled Bhimashanli Borase and Dharwad Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya.

Published – October 19, 2026 12:07 PM IST