Full Support for Sugarcane Farmers; Uttara Kannada District Administration Tackles Key Issues

• DC assures full administrative support to sugarcane farmers and directs installation of weighing machine at factory.
• Pending cane payments from 2023–24 season and priority list compliance to be addressed, with strict monitoring of farm and road infrastructure.

Karwar, Oct 08, 2025: Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmipriya assured sugarcane farmers of comprehensive administrative support to address their longstanding concerns, during a meeting held at the Haliyal Tahsildar Office auditorium on Wednesday. The session marked the launch of the 2025–26 sugarcane crushing season and discussed related issues affecting local growers.

The DC instructed factory authorities to install a weighing machine at the sugar factory premises, responding to a long-standing demand from farmers to accurately measure cane weight before processing. Factory officials confirmed that the machine will be set up before the commencement of this season’s crushing operations.

Farmers raised concerns over pending repayment of ₹256 per quintal, the extra amount due from the 2023–24 crushing season. The sugar commissioner had issued directives for a total repayment of ₹26 crore, but factory authorities have yet to comply. The matter is currently in the High Court, where a two-week stay has been granted. The administration is attempting to bring the case before the Dharwad court to ensure repayment, and letters have been sent to the commissioner seeking enforcement of the order.

The collector also directed the factory to publish and strictly follow the priority list for cane cutting, warning that violations could be reported by farmers to the police or the Tahsildar, with appropriate action taken against offenders.

Addressing infrastructure concerns, Lakshmipriya noted that roads in the district often get damaged during the monsoon. Specific damaged stretches from last year have been identified for maintenance by contractors without additional government funding. Tahsildars and Taluk Panchayat Chief Officers have been tasked with ensuring that these roads are repaired before the start of factory operations.