Amaravati, June 18 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday resolved the aqua feed price hike crisis by bringing together aqua farmers and feed manufacturers at the State Secretariat.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed that feed prices be reduced by Rs 4 per kilogram to ease the financial burden on aqua farmers.

According to an official release, both feed manufacturers and farmers agreed to the proposal. As a result, the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of aqua feed will be reduced from Rs 112 per kilogram to Rs 108 per kilogram.

The Chief Minister also ordered the formation of a committee comprising aqua farmers, feed manufacturers and officials to evolve a long‑term mechanism for feed price stabilisation. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 20 days, after which a final decision on pricing will be taken.

Apart from feed pricing, the committee will examine processing‑related issues and pollution control measures and submit recommendations to the government.

The aqua farmers thanked the Chief Minister for providing power to the sector at a subsidised rate of Rs 1.50 per unit. They also acknowledged Chandrababu Naidu’s contribution to the expansion of aquaculture from the Godavari districts to the entire coastal belt, stretching from Srikakulam to Nellore.

Farmers briefed the Chief Minister on challenges faced by the sector, pointing out that while input costs had risen significantly, the prices of aqua produce had not increased proportionately. They also highlighted difficulties with processing and requested greater awareness among farmers of the subsidies offered by the Fisheries Department. They sought exemptions from certain empanelment requirements under subsidy schemes and requested broader insurance coverage for shrimp ponds.

Farmers further urged the government to encourage the establishment of nursery ponds and ensure adequate water supply for fish and shrimp farms. Responding positively, the Chief Minister assured them that there would be no shortage of water supply for aquaculture operations.

Representatives of feed manufacturing companies explained that shortages of key raw materials such as soybean and fishmeal, coupled with rising domestic prices, had increased production costs. They informed the Chief Minister that imports of low‑cost soybean from the United States are currently not permitted, forcing manufacturers to procure soybean from the domestic market at nearly double the price. As a result, price increases became unavoidable.

The Chief Minister said protecting the aquaculture sector, which supports lakhs of livelihoods, is a key responsibility of the coalition government. He stated that the government has provided Rs 1,543 crore in electricity subsidies to the aqua sector over the last two years. He added that the government intervened in the current issue after feed companies increased prices.

–IANS

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