The Karnataka government on Tuesday withdrew its process of acquiring 1,777 acres of agricultural land in Bengaluru’s Devanahalli for an aerospace park following three years of protests by farmers.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the withdrawal of the final notification in the acquisition process for land in 13 villages near the Kempegowda International Airport after meeting the farmers’ representatives, The Hindu reported.

The farmers ended their 1,198-day protest in Channarayapatna following the announcement.

In a social media post, the chief minister said that the state government had decided to acquire land only from farmers who were willing to offer it. “Such individuals will receive enhanced compensation, including larger developed plots and rates above the official guideline value,” he said.

Farmers who wished to continue agricultural activity may do so without restrictions, the Congress leader added.

The chief minister said that the state government had proposed the acquisition process to set up an aerospace hub in the region following requests for land near Bengaluru.

“However, the land identified for acquisition is highly fertile and central to the livelihoods of the local farming community,” he said. “The government, after extensive consultation with stakeholders, recognised the depth of their concerns and the significance of agricultural sustainability in the area.”

Siddaramaiah noted the possibility of the industries that wanted to set up their establishments in the proposed park moving to the neighbouring states. “Even if the project is relocated elsewhere due to this, our government stands with the farmers,” the Hindustan Times quoted him as telling reporters.

The protesting farmers had questioned the acquisition of fertile lands for industrial development and said that they were earning remunerative prices for their crops due to the proximity of the region to Bengaluru markets, The Hindu reported.

Several organisations had lent their support to the farmers’ protest and had warned the state government of a state-wide agitation if their demands were not met.

On July 4, the chief minister held an initial round of talks with the farmers’ representatives, The Hindu reported.