Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu successfully addressed the aqua feed price increase issue by convening aqua farmers and feed manufacturers at the State Secretariat. He instructed a reduction of Rs 4 per kilogram in feed prices to alleviate the financial strain on aqua farmers. Consequently, the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of aqua feed will be lowered from Rs 112 to Rs 108 per kilogram.
A committee comprising aqua farmers, feed manufacturers, and officials has been formed under the Chief Minister’s directive to develop a sustainable mechanism for stabilizing feed prices. This committee is tasked with presenting its findings within 20 days, following which a final decision on pricing will be made. Additionally, the committee will address processing-related issues and pollution control measures, providing recommendations to the government.
Expressing gratitude, aqua farmers thanked Chief Minister Naidu for subsidizing power supply to the sector at Rs 1.50 per unit. They acknowledged his efforts in expanding aquaculture from the Godavari districts to the entire coastal belt, spanning from Srikakulam to Nellore. Farmers highlighted challenges such as increased input costs without a proportional rise in aqua produce prices, processing difficulties, and the need for greater awareness of Fisheries Department subsidies.
The government was urged by farmers to promote the establishment of nursery ponds, ensure sufficient water supply for fish and shrimp farms, and enhance insurance coverage for shrimp ponds. In response, Chief Minister Naidu assured farmers of an uninterrupted water supply for aquaculture operations. Feed manufacturing representatives cited shortages of essential raw materials like soybean and fishmeal, coupled with escalating domestic prices, as factors driving up production costs. They informed the Chief Minister that the unavailability of low-cost soybean imports from the United States necessitated procuring soybean from the domestic market at nearly double the price, leading to inevitable price hikes.
Emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the aquaculture sector, which sustains numerous livelihoods, the Chief Minister highlighted the government’s provision of Rs 1,543 crore in electricity subsidies to the aqua sector over the past two years. He intervened in response to feed companies raising prices to protect the sector.
