Minister Condemns Hike in Price of Shrimp Feed, Orders Immediate Rollback
Atchannaidu said the hike is unreasonable, as lakhs of aqua farmers across the state are already facing severe financial stress due to escalating input costs.
Vijayawada:AP Agriculture and Fisheries minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu has strongly objected to aqua feed companies unilaterally increasing the prices of shrimp feed, despite aqua farmers already reeling under rising cultivation costs.
He said as per reports, feed manufacturers have increased the price of vannamei shrimp feed by ₹8 per kg and tiger shrimp feed by ₹10 per kg, citing a rise in raw material costs used in feed production.
Atchannaidu said the hike is unreasonable, as lakhs of aqua farmers across the state are already facing severe financial stress due to escalating input costs. He observed that the sudden increase in feed prices would further worsen their situation and adversely affect the aquaculture sector.
The minister underlined that as per the APSADA (AP State Aqua Development Authority) Act, feed companies are required to hold consultations with farmers’ associations before taking any decision on price revisions. However, the companies have not followed the mandatory procedure and implemented the hike in prices without prior discussions with all stakeholders.
Atchannaidu disclosed that the Fisheries commissioner had earlier advised feed manufacturing companies to discuss the issue with farmers and arrive at a mutually acceptable decision. Despite this, the companies have gone ahead with the revised prices, prompting him to intervene on behalf of the government.
The minister directed officials to ensure that Fisheries commissioner issues notices to the feed manufacturing companies, ordering them to immediately suspend the implementation of increased prices.
At the same time, Atchannaidu said a meeting with representatives of farmers’ associations and feed manufacturing companies would be held on Wednesday morning to resolve the issue and ensure justice for farmers.