Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, former CM Jagadish Shettar seek time from sugarcane farmers of Karnataka at late night meeting in Hubballi

Sugarcane farmers taking out a mock funeral procession of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi during the ‘Hubballi Chalo’ padayatra in Belagavi on October 16, 2026. Farmers resumed their protest on October 12 after discussions with the Minister failed to end the impasse. | Photo Credit: P.K. BADIGER

Union Minister for Food, Consumer Affairs, and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi assured sugarcane growers in Karnataka that the Centre would consider their demands positively.

He gave the assurance at a post-midnight meeting with farmers’ leaders in Hubballi on October 18. The meeting, held in the Government Guest House, went on till 3 a.m. on October 19. The Minister discussed the demand of farmers for a remunerative price for sugarcane, and other issues. Farmers’ leaders decided to consult the wider farming community before announcing their next course of action.