K'taka sugarcane growers threaten state-wide agitation

Mysore, Dec 8 (UNI) Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers Association today threatened to launch a state-wide agitation if the Government did not fix the minimum support price (MSP) for sugarcane on a par with other states.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Association President Kurubur Shantha Kumar said the farmers have been demanding fixing of MSP for sugarcane on scientific basis, but the Government had not taken the issue seriously.

Tamil Nadu was paying Rs 1,115 per tonne of sugarcane, Puducherry Rs 1,196 and Uttar Pradesh Rs 1,300, he noted, adding that the State was, however, paying only Rs 900 per tonne.

Mr Kumar said a meeting of sugarcane farmers of Mysore and Chamarajanagara districts would be held on December 18 to chalk out the future course of action on the proposed state-wide agitation.

He announced that farmers from the State would take part in a national farmers conference, to be held in Hyderabad on December 12, to urge the Centre to provide relief to agriculture sector in the next budget.

UNI