Full Support to Aquaculture Development: Minister Atchannaidu
Atchannaidu said Andhra Pradesh accounts for 29 per cent of the country’s fisheries sector
VIJAYAWADA: Stating that the aqua sector has emerged as a vital pillar of Andhra Pradesh’s economy, fisheries minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu said the state government is extending complete support for aqua culture with the prime objective of enhancing farmers’ incomes.
The minister was chief guest at the oath-taking ceremony for the governing body members of the state aquaculture development authority at the fisheries department office in Penamaluru of Krishna district on Tuesday.
Atchannaidu said global market conditions and tariff measures imposed by US president Donald Trump had impacted aqua farmers. The state government was working in coordination with the Centre to overcome these challenges.
The minister emphasized the need for widespread publicity on the quality and reliability of Andhra Pradesh shrimp across the country. He stressed the importance of exploring new markets, increasing exports and ensuring remunerative prices for farmers.
He urged farmers to focus on quality to secure better prices for their produce.
Atchannaidu said Andhra Pradesh accounts for 29 per cent of the country’s fisheries sector. The chief minister had directed that registration of fish and shrimp ponds based on survey numbers be made mandatory, he said, adding that registration of 48 per cent of ponds across the state had been completed.
Issues faced by farmers during registration had been resolved and geo-tagging of ponds was introduced. A committee would be constituted to address the aqua sector issues, he said.
The minister said `800 crore in power subsidies had been provided to aqua farmers so far, and this would be enhanced to `1,200 crore. He made it clear that the power subsidy would apply only to registered farmers.
