Published Apr 09, 2025 | 10:26 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 09, 2025 | 10:26 AM
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu. (X)
Synopsis: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy slammed Chandrababu Naidu for not taking action against the declining prices of prawns. Meanwhile, Naidu is seized of constituting a committee with stakeholders of Trump-tariff-affected aqua farming in the state to come up with a way forward.
YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy slammed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for not taking action against his party men for allegedly forming a syndicate and bleeding the shrimp farmers dry by reducing the price of 100-count shrimp to ₹200-210 from ₹260-300.
The criticism comes at a time when Naidu is seized of constituting a committee with stakeholders of Trump-tariff-affected aqua farming in the state to come up with a way forward.
A 100-count means that there are 100 prawns in a kilogram — smaller in size compared to other categories with a lower count, like 30-count, where each prawn is larger and heavier.
During a meeting at the state secretariat in Amaravati on Monday, 7 April, Naidu assured the representatives of aquaculture farmers of all necessary measures to support as, he said, the fisheries sector plays a crucial role in the state’s GSDP.
The chief minister proposed the formation of a committee with stakeholders to find a solution to the problem. He emphasised that the committee should provide suggestions to resolve the current issue and devise a plan for the future.
The committee, comprising aqua farmers, aquaculture experts, government officials, stakeholders, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) representatives, and exporters, will be established to discuss the issue in-depth and suggest necessary solutions. The state government will make decisions based on the committee’s recommendations.
Naidu sought opinions from representatives of various regions and explored possible solutions with them. He said that around three lakh farmers are engaged in aquaculture, while another 50 lakh people depend on the sector directly or indirectly.
Farmers and exporters pointed out that the new tariffs imposed by the US would further harm an industry already grappling with multiple challenges. They also discussed strategies adopted by countries like Ecuador. The chief minister stated that he would urge the Union government to hold immediate consultations with the US.
The chief minister described the current situation as an unexpected and unprecedented challenge for the aqua sector, urging everyone not to panic and to work together to find a solution. He stressed that coordination is essential for the sector to move forward and stressed the need to instil confidence in farmers.
Farmers noted that providing fresh water to aquaculture reduces viruses and diseases, improving crop quality, which was agreed by the chief minister. When farmers requested measures to ensure fair prices, he directed traders to purchase 100-count shrimp at ₹220, urging their cooperation as well. Exporters suggested that entering into free trade agreements with countries like South Korea and the European Union (EU) could yield benefits. The chief minister assured them that he would raise this with the Union government.
Naidu said that the issue had already been brought to the Union government’s attention through a letter, and further consultations would follow. He emphasised that only collective efforts by all stakeholders in the aqua sector would ensure its sustainability.
Meanwhile, former chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy came down heavily on Naidu for what he called sleeping over the crisis.
“Why are you sleeping while the aquaculture sector is in a severe crisis? The blow from American tariffs is no doubt debilitating, but equally bothersome is the fact that you are sitting idle when traders from your party have formed a syndicate and are exploiting farmers,” he said.
The YSRCP chief said the prices were crashing daily and asked why the government was not intervening.
“When farmers are crying out in distress and the media and YSR Congress Party are questioning you, is it reasonable to simply write a letter to the Union government and wash your hands of it? What’s the use of having a government then? The price of 100-count shrimp has suddenly dropped from ₹280 to around ₹200-210. Even as prices continue to fall and farmers cry, saying there’s no option left but a crop holiday, why is this government not responding?” he questioned.
He said that ever since the coalition government came to power, crops like paddy, cotton, tobacco, chillies, red gram, green gram, black gram, bananas, and tomatoes have been left without a minimum support price.
“Even as middlemen exploit farmers’ hard work, the government isn’t paying attention. When issues are raised, the state government counters with attacks and deflects responsibility instead of addressing them. The same is happening with the aqua sector,” Jagan Mohan Reddy said.
He said the state’s aquaculture sector is number one in the country in terms of exports and earning foreign exchange.
“During our tenure, we established the Aquaculture Development Authority to further support this sector. We brought in special laws to regulate aqua seed and feed prices while ensuring quality,” he added.
Jagan Mohan Reddy said it was his government that put a check on exploitative syndicate practices and, for the first time in the state’s history, fixed prices for shrimp.
“During the Covid period, about five years ago, we set a minimum price of ₹210 for 100-count shrimp, standing by farmers. We reduced feed prices three times. Even though import duties on raw materials like fish oil and soybean have dropped from around 15 percent to five percent, feed prices haven’t decreased, even by a paisa under this coalition government. Despite the regulatory board we set up being in place, rates aren’t coming down,” he said.
“During Chandrababu’s earlier tenure, the aqua zone covered only 80-90 thousand acres. After the YSRCP government came to power, it expanded to 4.22 lakh acres. Of the total of 64,000 electricity connections in the aqua sector, we provided power at ₹1.50 per unit to 54,000 connections within the aqua zone, spending ₹3,640 crore on subsidies for this purpose. We appointed fisheries graduates as aqua assistants in RBKs (Rythu Bharosa Kendras) within aqua zones to support farmers, responding immediately to any issues and providing solutions. Now, by destroying the RBK system, you are damaging a sector that earns the most revenue,” he said.
He demanded that the chief minister open his eyes, announce shrimp prices immediately, and stop the price crash.
“Take strict action against those exploiting farmers under the guise of American tariffs. These tariffs aren’t limited to our country alone, and they will continue in the future as well. It’s not enough to just write a letter and wash your hands of it,” he said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
