Karnataka Farmers Protest Demands Higher Sugarcane Prices and Policy Review

Sugarcane farmers in Karnataka staged demonstrations on October 31, 2026, including sit-ins at the Belagavi bus stand and road blockades in Dharwad, Vijayapura, and Bagalkote. The farmers are demanding a fixed price of Rs 5,500 per tonne for sugarcane and the restoration of the Fair and Remunerative Price base recovery to 9.5 per cent. Authorities in Belagavi and Dharwad issued prohibitory orders banning highway blockades due to the intensifying agitation.

The protests center on the pricing mechanism for sugarcane, directly challenging the current agricultural market structure. Farmers are also demanding a review of the Centre's ethanol policy, which affects agricultural output and industry mandates. The agitation includes calls for farmers to withhold the sale of essential commodities like milk and vegetables.