Centre to form high-level committee within a week on sugarcane recovery issues of Karnataka and Maharashtra farmers
On 12 October 2026, after meeting Karnataka and Maharashtra sugarcane farmers, Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Pralhad Joshi announced a high-level joint committee within one week on recovery, weighing and related disputes.
Summary
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi held a high-level meeting with sugarcane farmer delegations from Karnataka and Maharashtra on 12 October 2026. Issues discussed included differences in mill recovery figures, weighing, wastage, laboratory testing and crop insurance. The ministers announced that a special high-level joint committee would be formed within one week, including the Centre, the two State governments, authorised farmer organisation representatives, sugar mill representatives and subject-expert scientists, to examine harvest timing, scientific recovery parameters, modern lab testing and weighing accuracy and recommend lasting solutions. Short-term and long-term measures were to be pursued separately.
Key facts
- Decision
- High-level joint committee within one week
- Ministers
- Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Pralhad Joshi
- States involved
- Karnataka and Maharashtra cane farmers
- Issues
- Recovery differences, weighing, wastage, lab testing, crop insurance
- Members
- Centre, State govts, farmer orgs, sugar mills, scientists
- Date
- Meeting/announcement 12 October 2026
Practice MCQs 2 questions
In October 2026, sugarcane farmer issues prompting a promised high-level committee mainly concerned which two States?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Karnataka and Maharashtra
Within what timeframe did the Centre announce it would form the sugarcane recovery joint committee in October 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — One week