Bengaluru: Sugarcane farmers blocked national highways at several places in north Karnataka Tuesday, demanding better cane prices and implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations. The Centre, meanwhile, promised a joint committee and asked the state govt to introduce a state-advised price (SAP).Protests were reported in Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura and Dharwad, affecting traffic on the Pune-Bengaluru highway and NH 50 near Nidagundi. Near Hattargi toll plaza in Hukkeri taluk, farmers blocked both carriageways, with some lying on the road to prevent vehicles from passing. They said the stir would continue as Monday’s talks with Union ministers in Delhi “brought no immediate decision on prices”.Farmers are seeking a higher MSP, determination of FRP and implementation of the National Commission on Farmers report, chaired by Prof MS Swaminathan and set up in 2004 as a blueprint for structural reforms in agriculture.Meanwhile, Union food minister Pralhad Joshi rejected claims that the Delhi meeting had failed and appealed to farmers to withdraw the agitation. He said it was the first time the Centre had invited cane growers to Delhi, and discussions with farmers from Karnataka and Maharashtra were “constructive”. Agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, secretaries, three state ministers and farmer representatives attended.“Modi govt is with you,” Joshi said. “But this cannot be done by one or two ministries alone. Several ministries are involved, and all state govts have a role to play. Before determining prices, we obtain information from state govts. The govt will soon have good news for cane growers, so there is no need to blockade roads.”Joshi said Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have already implemented SAP and Karnataka has been urged to follow suit. The Centre also asked the state to act against mills on sugar recovery rates, the 9% wastage deduction and discrepancies in weighing.Chief minister DK Shivakumar, who spoke to Joshi Monday night in New Delhi, said the issue needed consultations with other states. “Farmers want a higher price for their cane. We discussed their situation and the condition of factories. This is not an issue confined to our state. They have said they will speak to everyone and arrive at a decision,” he said.
