With drought severely affecting sugarcane cultivation by reducing yields and driving up production costs, the State Sugarcane Growers’ Association has urged the Mysuru district administration to convene an urgent meeting to address farmers’ grievances before the commencement of the new crushing season.

Submitting a memorandum to Additional Deputy Commissioner Aishwarya at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Tuesday, the association said immediate intervention was needed to protect the interests of sugarcane growers, who are grappling with poor rainfall, declining productivity and rising input costs.

Association president Kurubur Shanthakumar urged the government to immediately announce the sugarcane procurement price for the 2026-27 crushing season and provide an incentive over and above the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP). He argued that the existing price would not adequately compensate farmers for the higher cost of cultivation and lower yields caused by drought.

The association also sought advance fixation of harvesting charges and transportation costs before the crushing season begins.

Mr Shanthakumar also demanded payment of all pending dues from the previous crushing season, including the ₹ 50-per-tonne amount announced by the government. He also called for a transparent calculation of profits earned from sugarcane by-products such as bagasse and molasses and sought distribution of the additional revenue due to farmers.

The association alleged that sugar factories had repeatedly failed to implement government orders and urged the district administration to convene a meeting of officials, sugar factory representatives and sugarcane growers to resolve all pending issues before the crushing season begins.

Warning of indefinite agitation if the demands are ignored, the association said farmers would intensify their protest in the coming days. The association demanded that all pending issues concerning the Bannari Sugar Factory be resolved before it resumes operations.