Kolhapur sugarcane price agreed at Rs 4,200 a tonne, Satara talks fail and protest goes on

The months-long agitation over sugarcane prices by the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana in Kolhapur district is now nearing an end. Mill owners there responded positively to the agitation, bringing a sweeter Diwali for cane growers in the district. The situation in neighbouring Satara district is the reverse. Farmers there have been left to mourn on the eve of Diwali, and the agitation over cane prices in the district will continue.

At the Kini toll plaza in Kolhapur, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader and former MP Raju Shetti had held an agitation for three days in a row over the cane price. The protest kept the Kolhapur-Pune national highway closed. Shetti's main demand was a price of Rs 4,500 for cane. As the agitation intensified, a meeting was held between the mill owners and Shetti.

At this meeting, both sides agreed on a price of Rs 4,200. It was also agreed that the amount would be paid in three instalments. The price deadlock in Kolhapur was thus resolved, with the mill owners and Raju Shetti reaching an agreement.

A similar meeting was held at the same time in neighbouring Satara district and in Sangli. But it was inconclusive, and the cane price has not yet been announced in these districts. A position was also voiced at the meeting that the rate itself is not acceptable to them in principle. In Satara district, all eyes are now on who will break the deadlock over the cane price.

Raju Shelke's agitation continues at Nagthane

Raju Shelke, Satara district president of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana and a zilla parishad member, has begun an agitation at Nagthane. He has taken a clear stand that the agitation will not be withdrawn until the cane price is announced.

Will Raju Shetti turn his attention to Satara?

After the agitation's success in Kolhapur, farmers in Satara hope that Raju Shetti will now take up the question of the cane price in Satara as well. Resentment is growing because cane growers have to agitate for a price even during the Diwali days. The whole district is watching who will break the cane price deadlock in Satara, and how.