Jagan alleges aqua sector in crisis due to govt failure

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday alleged that the state’s aqua sector is facing a severe crisis, accusing the TDP-led coalition government of failing to protect farmers from rising input costs and declining returns.

Addressing an interaction with aqua farmers in Bhimavaram, Jagan claimed that shrimp and fish farmers are reeling under mounting financial distress as feed prices continue to rise without any regulatory oversight. He alleged that the government has remained indifferent despite the worsening situation, saying farmers are not receiving remunerative prices for even a single crop.

Jagan alleged that a syndicate allegedly linked to supporters of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was controlling the pricing of aqua feed and seed, resulting in arbitrary hikes. Feed prices had increased by Rs 14 to Rs 16 per kilogram, while the recent reduction of about Rs 2 per kg was inadequate. “If prices can be increased at will, why can’t they be reduced in the same manner?” he asked.

The former Chief Minister said the aqua industry provides direct and indirect employment to nearly five lakh people in Andhra Pradesh and accused the government of neglecting one of the state’s key economic sectors.

Recalling the YSRCP government’s tenure, Jagan said his administration had established the Andhra Pradesh State Aqua Development Authority (APSADA) to address issues related to seed, feed and marketing. He alleged that the present government had weakened the institution, leaving farmers without an effective mechanism to resolve their problems.

He also claimed that the previous government had ensured remunerative prices for shrimp through continuous market monitoring and enacted measures to prevent prices from falling below sustainable levels. However, he said shrimp prices have now fallen sharply, with the 30-count variety selling below Rs 230 per kg.

Jagan further highlighted that his government had supplied power to aqua farmers at Rs 1.50 per unit, provided Rs 3,306 crore in electricity subsidy over five years and cleared Rs 401 crore in pending subsidy dues. Accusing the coalition government of failing to honour its promises, he questioned whether the assurances made to aqua farmers before the elections had been fulfilled.