Karnataka Sugarcane Farmers Block Major Roads Over Pricing Demands

Sugarcane growers blocked roads across Dharwad, Gadag and Haveri districts on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, demanding better prices for their crops and a higher minimum selling price for sugar.

Protests And Talks

The protests came after talks between farmer representatives and Union ministers failed in New Delhi on Monday, October 12. Farmers are asking for a fair price that covers their production costs along with a revision of the sugar minimum selling price. BJP Raitha Morcha leaders defended Union Minister Pralhad Joshi's efforts, while farmer leader Chunappa Pujari accused BJP leaders of confusing farmers. During the protest near Yarikoppa, farmers also stopped a youth from jumping off a signpost.

Locations And Traffic

Highway blockades took place at Yarikoppa Cross and Tegur near Dharwad, Gabbur Cross and Noolvi Cross near Hubballi, Bankapur in Haveri, and Mulagund Cross, Halligudi Cross and Hitnal Toll in Gadag. While the call was for a dawn-to-dusk blockade, most spots cleared by afternoon, though the Yarikoppa protest on the Pune-Bengaluru highway lasted past 7 p.m. Police deployed personnel and diverted traffic across Hubballi-Dharwad, where Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase and Dharwad Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya visited the sites. Light motor vehicles and heavy vehicles had to use alternate routes, causing difficulties for motorists.

Context

Sugarcane pricing disputes often pit farming communities against government pricing policies when market rates fail to meet rising production costs. State administrations frequently step in to manage traffic disruptions and security during such large-scale highway protests. Karnataka has previously pushed for a more transparent system to protect growers from sudden market drops.