AP aqua farmers seek govt support

Visakhapatnam: Aquaculture farmers in the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, known as an important aqua hub and aqua capital of India, have pressed panic buttons following drop in prices due to a variety of reasons.

Increase in production and unhealthy competition, alleged formation of a cartel by shrimp feed manufacturers and processing plants and uncertainty regarding extension of power subsidy benefits have forced them to land in troubled waters.

India is the third largest fish producer in the world accounting for eight per cent of the world's total yield. Incidentally, India is the second largest aquaculture producer after China.

According to Marine Product Export Development Authority (MPEDA), 1.08 lakh hectare is under L Vannamei culture in nine maritime States producing 8,15,745 MT with AP leading in total area under culture and production followed by Gujarat and Tamil Nadu-Pondicherry. All India average productivity is 7.52 MT per hectare per year. AP had a 38 per cent share of seafood valued at $7,740 million exported by MPEDA in 2021-22.

AP Aquaculture Farmers' Association convener Gadiraju Subbaraju said due to exorbitant increase in feed price and the zonal system observed to extend power subsidy, they are unable to meet their operational cost. Feed price has gone up to Rs 90,000 per tonne, almost 20 to 30 per cent increase in the past few months. Instead of extending power at Rs 1.50 per unit, they are being forced to shell out Rs 4 per unit due to ambiguity over the zonal system.

Most of the farmers are cultivating L Vannamei known as white-leg shrimp, which is in high demand in the export market due to its taste and affordable price compared to tiger shrimp.

Farmers say aqua shrimp is being purchased at Rs 240 per kg for 100 count, whereas the breakeven price is Rs 270. Now the price has crashed to Rs 200 at various places. Aqua is grown in large quantities in Krishna, West and East Godavari, Prakasam, Nellore and parts of Visakhapatnam district.

An aquaculture farmer from Ongole D Gopinath said till recently, the purchase price from them used to be Rs 300 per kg. Now it is not viable for them to continue culturing shrimp unless the government intervenes immediately to bail them out, he said.