Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on 29 September 2026 invited sugarcane farmers from Karnataka to come to New Delhi for direct discussions with government officials over a hike in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane, urging them to pursue dialogue rather than take to the streets. Joshi, who represents the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka, made the appeal in response to growers planning a protest in Hubballi on Tuesday.

The Invitation and What It Offers

In a video message shared on his X account, Joshi extended an open invitation to farmer leaders and protesters, promising to facilitate direct meetings with the relevant officials. 'I welcome Karnataka's farmers to Delhi with utmost respect. We will arrange for farmer leaders to sit with the concerned officials and discuss their issues and find solutions,' he said.

He stressed that the Central government was prepared to hold detailed discussions on the concerns and confusion among sugarcane farmers and take appropriate measures to provide them relief. 'There is no need for a protest. The Central government is ready to respond to the farmers' concerns,' Joshi said.

Recent FRP History and the Demand for a Further Hike

Joshi recalled that farmer leaders had met him in February 2026 while he was en route to an event, requesting an increase in the sugarcane FRP. The Centre subsequently raised the FRP to ₹365 per quintal in May 2026. He noted that no farmer representatives had approached him after that revision, yet a fresh round of protests was now being planned, demanding a further increase.

The minister said the Central government had been raising the FRP annually under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and assured growers that an appropriate price would be ensured for the current year as well. Notably, this marks at least the second FRP-related engagement between Karnataka's sugarcane farmer groups and the ministry within a single year.

How the FRP Decision Is Made

Joshi clarified that any decision on revising the FRP would be taken after considering the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and the report of the state's Cane Commissioner. This procedural clarification is significant — it signals that a unilateral announcement is unlikely and that Karnataka's own administrative input will carry weight in any revision.

Broader Context: Farmer Unrest in Karnataka

Karnataka's sugarcane belt, concentrated in the northern districts including Dharwad, Belagavi, and Bagalkot, has seen recurring agitation over crop pricing. The FRP — set by the Centre — acts as a floor price that sugar mills must pay farmers, but growers often argue the rate does not keep pace with rising input costs. This comes amid a broader national debate over agricultural price guarantees and the long-standing demand for a statutory minimum support price (MSP) across crops.

Joshi assured farmers that the government would 'listen to their grievances with utmost humility and make sincere efforts to find appropriate solutions.' The minister's next move, and whether farmer leaders accept the Delhi dialogue offer, will determine if the planned Hubballi protest proceeds.