Pralhad Joshi to hold a meeting with sugarcane farmers on October 12

Union minister Pralhad Joshi addressing the press in Hubballi on Friday (October 2). | Photo Credit: KIRAN BAKALE

Union Minister for Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on Friday (October 2) said a meeting with sugarcane farmers would be held in New Delhi on October 12 to discuss their demands, including an increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for sugar.

Addressing a press conference in Hubballi on Friday (October 2), Mr. Joshi said the Centre had convened the meeting in response to the farmers’ protest and their demand for better prices. “We are not dictators. That is why a meeting with farmers has been called,” he said.

Explaining the distinction between sugar prices and the price paid to sugarcane growers, Mr. Joshi said the MSP for sugar had been introduced when market prices fell sharply. The measure prevents sugar from being sold below the prescribed floor price, he said.

However, an increase in the MSP for sugar would not automatically translate into higher payments to sugarcane farmers, he said, adding that the two prices were not directly linked.