Belagavi’s agricultural economy is undergoing a reorganization as farmers expand sugarcane cultivation, abandon tobacco in increasing numbers and increasingly turn to turmeric, whose recent prices have made it one of the most profitable commercial crops in the region, according to an official familiar with the matter.
Officials in the agriculture department say the changes are reshaping cropping patterns across one of the largest agricultural districts in Karnataka, where agriculture is spread over 7.52 lakh hectares. Sugarcane area has grown steadily over the past four years, increasing from 2.6 thousand hectares (280,000) hectares in 2022-2023 to 2.8 thousand (280,000) hectares (ha) in 2023-2024, 2.93 thousand (300,000) hectares (ha) in 2025-2026. Officials expect the area planted with the crop to comfortably exceed three thousand hectares during the 2026-27 season. Belagavi alone accounts for about 44% of the total sugarcane area in Karnataka.
The expansion continued despite recurring disputes between sugar mills and farmers over sugar cane prices and delayed payments. Officials said farmers still prefer sugarcane because it carries a lower risk of crop failure, benefits from livestock farming and enjoys sustained demand from the sugar and ethanol industries. High labor costs, high pesticide expenses, and price fluctuations affecting other crops also encouraged farmers to continue growing sugarcane.
There are 28 sugar factories in the district, and its cultivation is concentrated in Chikodi, Athani, Gokak and Yaragatti. Many farmers have also adopted intercropping, growing pulses and vegetables alongside sugarcane to supplement their income, officials said.
HD Kolekar, joint director of agriculture, said the widespread adoption of intercropping has contributed to the steady annual increase in sugarcane cultivation across the region.
Turmeric has also emerged as an increasingly attractive cash crop. Horticulture Department data indicates that 4,180.88 hectares were under turmeric cultivation in Belagavi during 2024 25, and 62,713.2 metric tons were produced. With almost touching market prices $15,000 per quintal, many farmers get higher returns than they do from sugarcane.
Raibag taluk recorded the largest area under turmeric, with 1,603.41 hectares producing 24,051.15 metric tons during 2024 25. Athani and Madalaji also recorded significant production. Boosted by irrigation from the Jataprabha basin, fertile soil and proximity to Sangli in Maharashtra, a major turmeric trade hub, villages including Gurlapur and Kaloli have seen more farmers adopting the crop.
Turmeric is becoming an increasingly important source of income for farmers, said Mahantesh Murugude, associate director of the horticulture department. “With market prices reaching approx $15,000 per quintal, many farmers are getting higher yields from turmeric than from sugarcane. Raibag Taluk still leads the region in turmeric cultivation, and the crop has become a major contributor to farm income and the rural economy of Belagavi.
While sugarcane and turmeric expanded, tobacco cultivation declined sharply. The area planted with the crop fell from 8,400 hectares in 2023 to less than 4,800 hectares, a decline that officials attribute largely to ongoing awareness campaigns about the health risks associated with tobacco cultivation and consumption.
Traditional tobacco growing areas such as Nippani, Chikodi and Hokiri are increasingly turning to soybeans, chickpeas and wheat. Agriculture Department officials estimate that nearly 80% of tobacco farmers have begun switching to alternative crops.
Sahadev Yaragopa, deputy director of agriculture in Chikodi, said the ministry is supporting the transformation process through technical guidance and distribution of subsidized seeds.
Among those who have made the switch is Prashant Mokashi, a farmer from Siraguppi village in Nippani taluk. He said that under the crop diversification program, Ministry of Agriculture officials encouraged him to replace tobacco with soybean cultivation and provided financial assistance for this transition period. Mokashi said he planted soybeans on 12 acres and was satisfied with the returns, describing the change as beneficial.
Implementing the recommendations of the Dr M S Swaminathan Committee remains essential to address long-term issues related to crop prices and farmers’ welfare, said Prema Choggala, state general secretary of the Rajya Raitha Sangha.
