Karnataka Sugarcane Growers Push for Drought Declaration and Relief

Facing a withering crop and dwindling water supplies, the Karnataka Sugarcane Growers’ Association (KSGA) has stepped onto the streets of Mysuru, pressing the state government to acknowledge what many farmers call a full‑blown drought.

Speaking on behalf of the association, president Kurubur Shanthakumar said the situation is “nothing short of a crisis.” Roughly half of Karnataka, he noted, has received far‑below‑average rainfall, leaving sugarcane fields—along with banana and other water‑intensive crops—dry and unproductive.

To cushion the blow, KSGA is asking for a one‑time distress‑relief payment of ₹40,000 (about $480) for every farmer who has been hit by the shortfall. The demand, first aired in mid‑July, has now been echoed in a small but noisy protest at Gandhi Square in Mysuru, where growers gathered with placards and a palpable sense of urgency.

But the relief request does not stop at cash. The association is also calling for a waiver of existing crop loans from both public and private lenders, a freeze on loan‑recovery actions, and the renewal of gold‑loan facilities for those who can keep up with interest during the drought period. “We’re looking at a full package that mirrors the steps taken in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra during similar crises,” Shanthakumar added.

In addition, KSGA wants clarity on the upcoming sugarcane procurement price for the 2026‑27 season, uniform harvesting and transport charges, and the settlement of pending dues—₹50 per tonne—from the Bannari Sugar Factory for the previous crushing season.

While the growers’ demands are clear, the state’s response remains to be seen. Officials have yet to issue a formal drought declaration, a prerequisite that would unlock many of the relief mechanisms the farmers are pleading for.

Beyond the economic pleas, the association also urged the cultural board to scale back the Kambala buffalo races slated for this year’s Mysuru Dasara celebrations, arguing that a modest observance would be more appropriate given the hardship gripping the region.

The hope is that the combined pressure from the field and the streets will prompt the Karnataka government to act swiftly, before the next monsoon season slips away without giving these farmers a chance to recover.