Meet of Shrimp Value Chain Members Inconclusive, Farmers Remain Unhappy

Vijayawada:Andhra Pradesh government has reiterated its commitment to protect the interests of shrimp farmers and strengthen the aquaculture sector.

At a high-level meeting at the Fisheries Commissioner’s Office in Vijayawada on Tuesday involving shrimp farmers, feed manufacturers, seafood processors, exporters, and representatives of allied sectors, Agriculture and Fisheries minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu called for a mutually acceptable solution over pricing of shrimp feed.

Both farmers and industry representatives expressed their concerns over rising feed prices at the meeting. Feed manufacturers informed that production costs had increased due to higher prices of key raw materials, including fishmeal and soybean.

Farmers continued to express their concern over escalating cultivation costs and shrinking profit margins.

On behalf of the government, the minister advised both sides to continue discussions and submit a joint proposal after arriving at a consensus. He stressed the need for a scientific and transparent pricing mechanism based on raw material costs, the wholesale price index (WPI) and prevailing market conditions.

Farmer representatives suggested the formation of a scientific pricing committee comprising government officials, researchers and industry stakeholders. In the interim, they proposed limiting the increase in feed prices to ₹6 per kg for one month.

Feed manufacturers indicated their willingness to limit the temporary increase in prices to ₹12 per kg until a revised pricing framework is finalised.

With no consensus reached during the meeting, the government urged all stakeholders to continue consultations and arrive at an early resolution.

In a major relief announced at the meeting, Atchannaidu announced that following directions from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the proposal to extend power subsidy of ₹1.50 per unit to an additional 12,000 aquaculture electricity connections is in its final stage.

The minister assured that the subsidy will be implemented with effect from June 1. It will cover all eligible aquaculture power connections, irrespective of farm size or their location in aqua or non-aqua zones.