Sugarcane farmers call off indefinite stir after DC promises meeting on Aug. 17

Their demands include increasing the fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane

The sugarcane farmers of Mysuru, who began an indefinite demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mysuru on Saturday, called off their agitation after Deputy Commissioner Bagadi Gautham assured them of convening a meeting of their representatives and sugarcane mill owners on August 17. The sugarcane farmers began their demonstration around 11 a.m. to press for their demands including increasing the fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane. But, Joint Director of Agriculture, Mysuru, Mahantheshappa, visited the demonstration site and assured the farmers that a meeting to resolve their woes will be held next week while urging them to call of their agitation. The farmers initially refused to call off the agitation by citing the district administration’s failure to respond to their representations submitted thrice in the last one month after which Mr. Mahantheshappa left the venue. But, when he returned a little while later, the Deputy Commissioner spoke to farmers’ leader Kurubur Shanthakumar on Mr. Mahantheshappa’s mobile and promised to convene a meeting with the sugarcane mill owners and the farmers’ representatives on August 17 after which the agitation was called off.