Farmers led by Bharatiya Kisan Samaj have begun an indefinite sit-in protest at the District Collector’s office in Belagavi on Monday. The demonstration demands the curbing of commission agents in Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) under Section 75 of the APMC Act, alongside the fulfillment of various other agricultural demands including the fixation of sugarcane rates.
The protesters called for the consolidation of flowers, fruits, citrus, minor millets, and coarse grains under a single regulatory umbrella. They also demanded that the government take over the Jai Kisan private wholesale vegetable market building to establish a government-regulated sub-market there. Additionally, they urged the immediate transfer of the Sugarcane Development Commissioner and the Sugar Directorate office to Belagavi.
Regarding sugarcane, the farmers insisted on the payment of rates based on the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), State Assistance Price (SAP), and the ex-field model. They demanded a review of the weighing and yield calculation processes and called for the formulation of a Karnataka Sugarcane Income Distribution Policy to ensure scientific handling of weight, yield, and payment disbursement. Siddagouda Modagi, president of the organization’s state unit, led the protest.
