Mysore/Mysuru: Farmers under the banner of Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers Association held a meeting at Kuvempu Park near Gun House Circle in the heart of the city to discuss the nature of protest for seeking a revised FRP for sugarcane.

Addressing the meeting, Association President Kurubur Shantakumar said that he had been to Uttar Pradesh last week to study the sugarcane cultivation and the sugar industries there.

Stating that sugarcane growers in UP were getting Rs.3,500 per tonne as FRP (Fair and Remunerative Price), he said that the Government there has taken measures for cultivation of sugarcane at the right time and to transport it to nearby factories. But this facility was lacking in Karnataka and the growers here are upset about Government apathy.

Wanting the Karnataka Government to come to the rescue of farmers by providing uninterrupted and quality power to irrigation pumpsets, reduction in fertiliser prices and timely supply of sowing seeds and other agricultural inputs, he said that the Association will be forced to hold a massive demonstration if the Government fails to address all issues concerning sugarcane growers, which include announcement of a just FRP on the lines of the UP model.

Association office-bearers Attahalli Devaraj, Kiragasur Shankar and others were present.