Andhra Pradesh to develop Aqua Corridor, strengthen Blue Economy: Chandrababu

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday unveiled an ambitious roadmap to transform the state into the country’s leading hub for aquaculture and seafood exports, announcing plans for a dedicated Aqua Corridor connecting Amaravati, Bhimavaram, Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Krishnapatnam and Nellore.

Speaking at the National Workshop on Seafood Exports in Visakhapatnam, the Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh would build a comprehensive ecosystem for the aqua sector by integrating research, innovation, technology, startups and processing infrastructure. He emphasized that the future of economic growth lies in the Blue Economy, and Andhra Pradesh is prepared to lead India’s transformation in the sector.

Naidu said the state aims to establish the brands “Andhra Shrimp” and “India Seafood” in global markets while focusing on higher productivity at lower costs. He noted that aquaculture by-products also offer significant economic opportunities.

Highlighting Andhra Pradesh’s dominance in the sector, the Chief Minister said the state contributes 28 percent of India’s fish production, 66 percent of shrimp production, and 38 percent of the country’s seafood export earnings. Seafood exports from Andhra Pradesh currently exceed Rs 28,000 crore annually.

Welcoming Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh’s announcement to modernize Kakinada Port with an investment of Rs 72 crore, Naidu assured that land for a regional office of the Union Fisheries Department would be allocated within 15 days. He also sought Central support for mega seafood processing parks and expanded export infrastructure.

The Chief Minister stressed that quality, sustainability, traceability, innovation and zero pollution must become the foundation of future growth in the seafood industry. He also called for greater investments in seafood processing, noting that only about 12 percent of aqua production currently undergoes value-added processing.

Addressing a joint media conference with Union Ministers, Naidu said India had successfully expanded seafood exports despite global trade challenges and tariffs. He emphasized that rising global demand for protein-rich food presents enormous opportunities for Indian aquaculture.

He expressed confidence that Andhra Pradesh would contribute nearly 30 percent of the Centre’s ambitious target of achieving $30 billion in annual seafood exports, positioning the state as a key driver of India’s Blue Economy aspirations.