CM Shivakumar to hold separate meetings with sugar mill owners and cane growers in Belagavi

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is scheduled to visit Belagavi district on October 25 and 26, a trip that will include participation in the annual Kittur Utsav cultural festival and two separate meetings with key stakeholders in the region’s sugar industry. One meeting will bring together owners of the district’s major sugar mills, while the other will be attended by representatives of sugarcane growers who supply the factories. The chief minister’s itinerary reflects the state government’s intention to address long‑standing concerns that have affected production levels and farmer incomes in the area.

During the session with mill owners, officials are expected to discuss issues such as the availability of reliable power, water allocation for processing, and the terms of government loans that support factory expansion. The growers’ meeting will focus on the pricing mechanism for sugarcane, the timing of procurement, and the impact of recent changes in state policy on their cash flow. Both groups have previously voiced frustration over delayed payments and the perceived gap between policy announcements and on‑ground implementation, prompting the chief minister to seek a direct dialogue.

The sugar sector accounts for a significant share of Karnataka’s agricultural output and provides employment to thousands of families in Belagavi and surrounding districts. By addressing the concerns of both mill owners and cultivators, the government hopes to stabilise production, improve farmer earnings and prevent further migration of labor to other states. The outcome of these talks could also influence the political narrative ahead of upcoming local elections, as the chief minister’s handling of the issue is likely to be closely watched by voters and industry observers alike.