Vijayapura growers want profit-sharing formula to be extended to the whole State

A delegation says that it will not allow sugarcane crushing operations unless the 10 sugar factories in Vijayapura district agree to a base price of ₹3,600 per tonne and promise to share profits if the price of sugar crosses ₹45 per kg. | Photo Credit: PTI

Sugarcane farmers in Vijayapura district have demanded that the State government ensure that the profit-sharing formula announced by the Belagavi district administration between factories and farmers be extended to the whole State.

A delegation led by farmers leaders submitted a memorandum to the State government saying that they will not allow sugarcane crushing operations unless the 10 sugar factories in the district announce that they will agree to give a base price of ₹3,600 per tonne and promise to share profits if the price of sugar crosses ₹45 per kg.

“In such a case, the farmers will get 75% of the profits and the factory the balance 25%. The current wholesale price hovers between ₹45 a kg and ₹55 a kg. If this price remains stable till the end of the crushing season, farmers will take home ₹4,000-₹4,400 per tonne of sugarcane. This will help farmers who are in distress due to the steep rise in the cost of fertilisers, other inputs and labour,” the delegation said.