Rudrappa Lamani and an AI-generated representational sugarcane field. AI Image, thebengalurulive.com
Bengaluru: Karnataka will study when sugarcane should be harvested for better weight and sugar recovery, while examining independent, government-supervised weighbridges to address farmers’ complaints about weighing discrepancies at factories, Sugar and Textiles Minister Rudrappa Lamani said.
The findings from the state’s sugarcane-growing regions will be placed before a joint committee proposed by the Centre following a high-level meeting in New Delhi. State Advised Price (SAP) and other pricing models will also be examined for their potential to provide more predictable returns.
The announcement sets out the state’s intended follow-up on cane pricing, recovery, harvesting and payment concerns. The weighbridge mechanism remains under consideration, and no new cane price or implementation date was announced in the statement.
Study to examine the best harvesting stage
Lamani said harvesting practices should not reduce farmers’ income. A scientific assessment would examine the stage at which cane can yield the best possible weight and recovery, taking account of regional conditions.
The Delhi meeting was chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi. It considered concerns raised by farmers from Karnataka and Maharashtra, including the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), sugar prices, recovery rates, weighing discrepancies, harvesting timelines, wastage and payments.
Independent weighing mechanism being examined
The minister said the government had taken complaints about factory weighing discrepancies seriously and would examine the feasibility of independent weighbridges under government supervision where required.
“Not even a kilogram of cane should be unfairly accounted for. Farmers must have complete confidence in the weighing system. We will discuss the matter with the Chief Minister and work towards a transparent mechanism,” Lamani said.
Karnataka will also raise the calculation of recovery rates, deductions attributed to wastage after harvesting and related adjustments before the proposed committee.
SAP and other pricing models
According to Lamani, Karnataka already has a legal provision for determining an Additional Sugarcane Price above the FRP fixed by the Centre. The state will examine SAP and pricing models used elsewhere to assess whether they can offer farmers better and more predictable returns.
The proposed high-level committee is expected to include representatives of Karnataka, Maharashtra, the Union government, farmers’ organisations, sugar mills and agricultural scientists.
The state intends to present issues covering district-wise recovery, weighing accuracy, scientific laboratory testing, wastage deductions, farmer payments, pricing and revenue sharing, alongside the harvesting study.
Lamani said the objective was a permanent, scientific and transparent framework that kept both farmers and the sugar industry viable while preventing injustice to growers.
Also read: Shivakumar meets Pralhad Joshi on Karnataka sugarcane prices
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