Mysore/Mysuru: Sugarcane growers have welcomed the Government’s decision to hike Sugarcane procurement price at Sugar factories by Rs. 150 per tonne.

Addressing a press meet at Jaladarshini Guest House here recently, Karnataka Sugarcane Growers Association President Kurubur Shantakumar said that the Government’s order is a victory of sorts for the growers who were on an indefinite hunger strike for the past 39 days.

Pointing out that the farmers were slightly satisfied with the Rs. 150 hike, Shantakumar said that according to the Government order, Sugar factories  have to pay an additional Rs. 100 per tonne on the FRP price of Rs. 3,050 and those factories producing Ethanol – Rs. 150.

He noted that this will enable farmers to get additional revenue of Rs. 950 crore for over 7 crore tones of cane supplies in 2022-23.

Reiterating that the Government has bowed to the indefinite agitation of cane growers, he said that the farmers were demanding the hike to meet rising costs related to sugarcane production, cutting and transportation costs, which were eating into their earnings and thanked Chief Minister Bommai for the hike.

He further said that the Centre should come up with an appropriate FRP (Fair and Remunerative Price) for sugarcane growers, in keeping with rising production costs.

Association office-bearers Attahalli Devaraj, Kerehundi Rajanna, Baradanapura Nagaraj and Lakshmipura Venkatesh were present at the press meet.