Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has reaffirmed the government’s dedication to enhancing the aquaculture industry to bolster India’s coastal economy, uplift farmers’ livelihoods, and open up avenues for export expansion.
Goyal engaged in a fruitful discussion with stakeholders from the aquaculture and tobacco sectors in Andhra Pradesh, focusing on fortifying the aquaculture domain to drive India’s coastal economy forward.
Highlighting the government’s focus on ensuring improved farmer livelihoods through fair pricing, enhanced market accessibility, and fostering export opportunities, Goyal emphasized the significance of these initiatives in propelling Andhra Pradesh’s economic advancement.
The meeting, attended by various dignitaries including Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and Andhra Pradesh ministers, underscored the pivotal role of aquaculture in the state’s export landscape and its substantial contribution to India’s seafood exports.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s plea to the Centre for safeguarding the interests of aquaculture and tobacco farmers amidst escalating input costs and global competition adds significance to the ongoing discussions and calls for strategic measures to support these vital sectors.
In response to Naidu’s requests, including the regulation of fish meal exports, import permissions for GM soybean meal, and export incentives for tobacco, Goyal and other Union ministers are urged to consider these proposals to ensure the sustainability and growth of the aquaculture and tobacco industries.
