Sugarcane price deadlock nears resolution after 10-hour discussion with Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar

Karnataka’s Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar (centre) mediated between sugarcane growers and sugar mill owners for nearly 10 hours in an effort to break the deadlock, in Belagavi on October 25, 2026.

A prolonged deadlock between sugarcane growers and sugar mill owners in Karnataka moved closer to resolution after Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar mediated between the two sides for nearly 10 hours in Belagavi on October 25.

The two sides have agreed in principle to determine the price sugar factories should pay farmers after the Union Government fixes the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar, Mr. Shivakumar said. Representatives of farmers and sugar mills are expected to announce their final decision within two days, following further consultations.

The negotiations were held at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha and the Circuit House, beginning at around 11 a.m. and continuing until midnight. Five rounds of discussions were conducted, involving farmers’ representatives, sugar mill owners, nine Ministers and around 70 legislators. Representatives of 79 of the State’s 80 sugar factories participated in the talks.

Speaking to reporters after the negotiations, Mr. Shivakumar said the mill owners had agreed to the proposed approach of linking the price payable to growers to the Centre’s decision on sugar’s minimum selling price. The farmers, however, had sought two days to discuss the proposal among themselves before arriving at a final decision.

He said the State government would support both farmers and mill owners in reaching a settlement and continue engaging with the Union government on the issue. The farmers had already held discussions with the Union Minister and received assurances, he added.

Final decision awaited

The understanding reached during Sunday’s negotiations is yet to receive the final endorsement of the farmers. Their representatives will consult among themselves over the next two days before announcing their decision.

Mr. Shivakumar said the government’s priority was to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods while ensuring the viability of sugar factories. He also assured the stakeholders that the State government remained ready to hold discussions with the Centre to facilitate a resolution.

The negotiations continued at the Circuit House after the initial discussions at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, as Mr. Shivakumar sought to bridge differences between the growers and the mill owners. The discussions culminated in an agreement in principle on the mechanism for determining the price payable to farmers.

The final settlement will depend on the Centre’s decision on sugar’s minimum selling price and the subsequent agreement between the two sides.

Ministers, legislators and farmer leaders attend

The negotiations were attended by Ministers Satish Jarkiholi, Laxman Savadi, Santosh Lad and Yashwantray Gowda Patil, along with MLA N.H. Konareddy.

Farmer leaders who participated included Badagalapura Nagendra, Chunnappa Poojari, Kuruburu Shanthakumar and Chukki Nanjundaswamy. Sugar industry representatives included Sangameshwar Nirani, Yogish Patil, Channaraj Hattiholi and Vivek Hebbar.

Chief Minister’s Economic Adviser L. Ateeq, Additional Chief Secretary Tushar Girinath and Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan were among the officials present.

The marathon negotiations have raised hopes of resolving the dispute over sugarcane prices. However, a final agreement is still awaited, with both sides expected to announce their decision within two days.

Published - October 27, 2026 09:56 am IST