Kakani: Rising Feed Costs Pushing Aqua Farmers Into Crisis
He claimed the coalition government had failed to regulate feed manufacturers or curb repeated price hikes
TIRUPATI: Former agriculture minister and YSRC Nellore district president Kakani Govardhan Reddy on Sunday alleged that aqua farmers in Andhra Pradesh were facing a severe crisis due to rising feed prices, inadequate government support and exploitation by middlemen.
After visiting shrimp and fish ponds at Eduru village in Thotapalligudur mandal of Nellore district, Kakani interacted with farmers and reviewed their grievances.
He alleged that aqua feed prices had increased by `14 per kg in recent months, placing a heavy financial burden on shrimp and fish farmers. He claimed the coalition government had failed to regulate feed manufacturers or curb repeated price hikes.
Kakani also criticised the implementation of the promised power subsidy for the aqua sector. He alleged that despite the government's assurance of supplying electricity at `1.50 per unit, many farmers were paying `3.10 to `3.20 per unit after additional charges. He demanded uniform implementation of the subsidy.
The former minister further alleged that poor-quality seed supplied by hatcheries was resulting in low survival rates and causing heavy losses. He also accused traders and middlemen of suppressing prices during harvest, forcing farmers to sell their produce below remunerative rates.
Referring to paddy cultivation, Kakani claimed farmers were compelled to sell their produce at low prices during the harvest season, while traders later benefited from higher market prices. He said the previous YSRC government had created a ₹3,000-crore Price Stabilisation Fund to support farmers and stabilise agricultural prices.
He urged the government to regulate aqua feed prices, ensure the supply of quality seed, implement the promised power subsidy and protect farmers from exploitation. He warned that the YSRC would launch protests if the issues were not addressed.
