A farmers’ convention is scheduled for June 24 in Shivamogga to address agricultural issues and tackle the current crisis in the farming sector. State-level leaders will participate to press for various issues. Kurubur Shanthakumar, president of the State Sugarcane Cultivators Association, announced these plans on Tuesday, highlighting the convention’s focus on improving agricultural insurance to better serve farmers.
Shanthakumar also called for the digitisation of financial transactions of sugar mills and sugarcane farmers. He stressed that steps should be taken to provide details of sugar recovery per tonne of sugarcane crushed and the amount paid to the individual farmers from whom the crop was procured. He noted the existence of an app designed for this purpose and urged the government to mandate its use by sugar mills to ensure greater accountability.
Shanthakumar expressed concerns over the lack of clarity regarding sugar recovery rates and suggested that current practices were denying farmers their rightful dues from sugar mills. Additionally, the convention aims to bolster support for the ongoing farmers’ protests organized by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha in northern India.
