Farmers led by Bharatiya Kisan Union, BKU, staged a protest and held demonstrations at several places in Uttar Pradesh yesterday. <br />''<br />''AIR correspondent reports that thousands of anguished farmers hit the streets in many districts of western Uttar Pradesh over the declining price of sugarcane and non-payment of crop arrears. The traffic on highways and other roads was badly hit.<br />''<br />''The farmers gave memoranda to the Chief Minister through the district administrations. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said UP ranks first in sugarcane production, but for the last three years, its price has not increased even though the input cost has gone up consistently.<br />''<br />'' Moreover, the prices of diesel, electricity, labour, fertilizers, pesticides and other useful commodities are also rising. He said farmers' agitation will resume from the 21st of this month if their demands are not met.<br />