In a major relief for aqua farmers, aqua feed manufacturers have agreed to reduce prices by Rs 4 per kg following the intervention of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Manufacturers agreed to bring down the price of aqua feed from the existing Rs 112 per kg to Rs 108 per kg.
Farmers Welcome Decision
Fish and shrimp farmers welcomed the decision and thanked the Chief Minister for addressing their long-pending concerns. As part of ensuring price stability in the sector, Naidu instructed the formation of a committee comprising aqua farmers and feed manufacturers. He directed the committee to submit its report within 20 days, following which a final decision on feed prices would be taken.
Review Meeting Held
The Chief Minister reviewed the concerns of aqua farmers at a meeting held here on Thursday. Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, senior officials, aqua farmers, and representatives of feed manufacturing companies attended the meeting. Naidu said the government's priority was to reduce production costs for farmers and help them earn better returns. He stressed that the coalition government has the responsibility of protecting the aqua sector, on which lakhs of people depend for their livelihood.
Electricity Subsidy Retained
Aqua farmers expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for continuing to provide electricity to aqua farms at Rs 1.50 per unit. They said Naidu played a key role in expanding aquaculture from the Godavari districts to the entire coastal belt, from Srikakulam to Nellore. Farmers informed the Chief Minister that feed prices had been increased six times during the previous government's tenure, but no steps were taken to reduce the burden on farmers. They said the feed price, which was Rs 87.80 per kg in 2019, had increased to Rs 107.80 by the time the previous government completed its term.
Previous Reductions Acknowledged
They pointed out that after the coalition government came to power, the feed price was reduced by Rs 5.80 per kg initially. Farmers also clarified that the aqua community had never acted against the coalition government and alleged that some people recently tried to use farmers' issues for political purposes.
