Aqua Sector To Get Full Support: Lokesh

Lokesh was addressing the aqua culture advisory committee meeting he chaired jointly with fisheries minister Atchannaidu. The meeting was attended by exporters, processing unit owners, aqua farmers, feed companies, hatchery owners and senior officials.

The education minister said the livelihoods of thousands of families and employment for a large section of the youth were directly dependent on aquaculture. However, the industry faced a crisis as the United States has imposed 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on Indian shrimp exports and there existed the risk of an additional 25 per cent hike in the tariff.

Lokesh said, “In such a situation, the Centre, the state government and the aqua industry must work together for viable solutions. Recently, during my visit to Delhi, I explained the difficulties of the sector to Union ministers. It is imperative that, apart from the US, we focus on Russia and the European Union markets.”

He stressed the need to reduce production costs, including power tariffs, and said the chief minister was personally monitoring the issue. Fisheries minister Atchannaidu said, “We should explore alternative export destinations, but equally important is to create strong demand in the domestic market. We will urge the Centre to consider including shrimp in the defence services’ ration menu.”

Representatives of aqua exporters, processing units and farmers thanked the government for its intervention with feed companies to bring down the prices. They demanded a special relief package to overcome the crisis. The aqua farmers called for the immediate implementation of power subsidy, apart from rationalisation of taxes and feed cost reductions.

Among those present were aquaculture development authority chairman Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy, special chief secretary Rajasekhar, senior officials, exporters and farmers.