Vijayawada: The ongoing petrol and diesel shortage in Andhra Pradesh is severely impacting agriculture, with mango exports and aquaculture operations taking a major hit during a crucial season.
Mango Farmers in Distress
In the Nuzvidu region, famous for its Banginapalli and other premium mango varieties, farmers are struggling to transport their produce due to a lack of diesel. With transporters reluctant to operate, heaps of harvested mangoes are lying unsold. "Mangoes cannot be stored for long. If we don't transport them immediately, we incur heavy losses. We have stopped harvesting for now," said Manne Siva Prasad, a distressed mango farmer from the region. Traders say consignments meant for North India and export markets are getting delayed, affecting both prices and demand.
Aquaculture at Risk
The crisis has also spread to aquaculture hubs in districts such as Krishna, West Godavari, and Eluru, where shrimp farmers depend heavily on diesel-powered motors to maintain oxygen levels in ponds. "Without diesel, we cannot run aerators. If motors stop, shrimp survival is at risk," said Gunnam Rama Raju, an aquaculture farmer from Bhimavaram, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Government Intervention
As losses mount, district administrations have stepped in. Collectors of the Eluru, Krishna, West Godavari, and NTR districts have swung into action, coordinating with officials to ensure fuel supply to farmers and essential sectors. Officials are reportedly prioritising diesel allocation for agriculture and aquaculture, even as panic buying continues in several areas. Krishna district collector DK Balaji assured that diesel supply in rural areas will be streamlined by Wednesday evening.
Farmers and traders are urging the government to stabilise supply quickly, warning that prolonged disruption could lead to significant economic losses across sectors.
Minister Assures Support
Meanwhile, agriculture and fisheries minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu has reaffirmed the coalition government's strong support for the aquaculture sector, emphasising that there will be no disruption in diesel supply to farmers. He noted that aquaculture plays a vital role in the state's economy, spanning 2.34 lakh hectares, including freshwater and brackish water cultivation.
The minister highlighted that nearly 1.2 lakh hectares of commercial aquaculture, including shrimp and sea bass, require uninterrupted power. With an average daily power cut of two hours, farmers rely on diesel generators, consuming about 5 liters per hectare per day. This translates to a weekly demand of nearly 5,000 kiloliters of diesel across the state. Atchannaidu said strict monitoring mechanisms have been put in place, with district collectors and joint collectors closely supervising diesel availability. Coordination with fisheries officials is ongoing to ensure smooth supply. He assured farmers that the government remains committed to their welfare and the continued growth of the aquaculture sector.
