The Centre on Monday decided to set up a high-level joint committee within a week to address the grievances of sugarcane farmers from Maharashtra and Karnataka, after nearly three hours of talks between two Union ministers and representatives of farmer bodies in the national capital.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Food Minister Pralhad Joshi held detailed discussions at the Pusa campus with a delegation of farmers from the two major sugarcane-growing states. About 80-90 farmers from different organisations attended, along with state ministers.

With sugar mills set to begin crushing in the 2026-27 season, which started on October 1, farmers have sought a higher support price, citing rising production costs. They have also demanded that the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar be raised from Rs 31 per kg to Rs 50 per kg.

In a statement issued after the meeting, Chouhan said the discussions covered ground-level issues, including discrepancies in recovery figures reported by mills, weighing, wastage, laboratory testing and crop insurance.

"Exploitation of farmers, who provide food, will not be tolerated under any circumstances," he said, describing discrepancies in recovery rates, weight deductions and concealment of actual recovery figures by mills as highly sensitive matters.

Rather than seeking immediate or piecemeal solutions, Chouhan said, it was essential to establish a transparent and scientific system so that no mill could infringe upon farmers' rights in future.

According to the official statement, the ministers announced the formation of a "special high-level joint committee within a week".

It will comprise representatives of the Centre, the Karnataka and Maharashtra governments, farmers' organisations and sugar mills, besides subject-matter experts and scientists.