AP Fisheries’ Naik Says Aqua Farmers’ Welfare Top on Government’s Agenda
17 Jun 2026 11:07 PM IST17 Jun 2026 11:07 PM IST
The Fisheries’ commissioner said the government has held consultations with feed manufacturers, aqua farmer associations, MPEDA, CIBA, Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University, and other stakeholders. It has constituted the AP Shrimp Feed Ingredients Price Monitoring Committee to monitor raw material prices and recommend a transparent pricing mechanism.
AP Fisheries Department
Andhra Pradesh government has placed welfare of aqua farmers and sustainable growth of the aquaculture sector among the top of its priorities, Fisheries commissioner Ramashankar Naik said on Wednesday.
He underlined that the government is taking strong measures to protect farmers’ interests, while ensuring transparency in shrimp feed pricing. He urged farmers and stakeholders not to believe in unverified reports or rumours relating to shrimp feed prices and other aquaculture issues. He asked them to rely only on official information.
The commissioner said the prices of key feed ingredients, such as fish meal, soybean products, wheat-based materials, vitamins, and minerals have risen sharply in domestic and international markets. Fish meal and soybean prices have increased by more than 25 per cent during the past six months, while higher transport costs and supply shortages have further escalated production expenses.
Further, global supply-chain challenges have impacted the sector. Restrictions on fish meal production and exports by Peru and Chile have reduced global availability. In addition, increased demand from countries, such as China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, has pushed up domestic prices.
Ramashankar Naik said to address the issue, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had written to the Commerce and Industry ministry on May 13, 2026, seeking policy relaxations for soybean imports used in shrimp feed manufacturing. The matter had also been discussed at a recent national aquaculture workshop in Visakhapatnam.
The Fisheries’ commissioner said the government has held consultations with feed manufacturers, aqua farmer associations, MPEDA, CIBA, Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University, and other stakeholders. It has constituted the AP Shrimp Feed Ingredients Price Monitoring Committee to monitor raw material prices and recommend a transparent pricing mechanism.
Naik said the government remains committed to aqua farmers through subsidised power at ₹1.50 per unit, promotion of quality seed and feed, disease surveillance, biosecurity measures, export support, and scientific aquaculture practices to enhance productivity and farmer incomes.
Ramashankar Naik said to address the issue, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had written to the Commerce and Industry ministry on May 13, 2026, seeking policy relaxations for soybean imports used in shrimp feed manufacturing. The matter had also been discussed at a recent national aquaculture workshop in Visakhapatnam.
The Fisheries’ commissioner said the government has held consultations with feed manufacturers, aqua farmer associations, MPEDA, CIBA, Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University, and other stakeholders. It has constituted the AP Shrimp Feed Ingredients Price Monitoring Committee to monitor raw material prices and recommend a transparent pricing mechanism.
Naik said the government remains committed to aqua farmers through subsidised power at ₹1.50 per unit, promotion of quality seed and feed, disease surveillance, biosecurity measures, export support, and scientific aquaculture practices to enhance productivity and farmer incomes.
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