Aquaculture farmers, who are considered the backbone of the sector, are once again facing a severe financial burden. Shrimp feed prices are being increased arbitrarily by feed companies, leaving aqua farmers deeply distressed. With cultivation costs already rising sharply, farmers are angry that the continuous increase in feed prices is further worsening their financial burden.
Farmers claim that feed prices have increased by as much as ₹26,000 per tonne within just five months. Farmer associations have strongly alleged that the government, which is expected to prevent such price hikes, is instead supporting the feed companies. Against this backdrop, aqua farmers have decided to lay siege to the Fisheries Department Commissionerate today to bring their concerns to the government’s attention.
The farmers have made it clear that they will not back down until prices are reduced and warned that they are prepared to intensify their protests in phases if necessary.
No Check on Feed Companies?
This is the major allegation being raised by aqua farmers. As feed companies continue to increase prices, questions are being raised over what the regulatory system is doing to control them. Farmers are furious that the government is failing to take steps to regulate prices and protect them from an additional financial burden.
Feed costs constitute one of the most significant expenses in shrimp cultivation, meaning every price hike directly affects farmers’ pockets. On one side, shrimp prices remain uncertain; on the other, cultivation costs are increasing. Now, the repeated hikes in feed prices are adding to the crisis.
Farmer associations say that the combination of these factors has made the situation of aqua farmers increasingly difficult.
₹26,000 Increase Per Tonne in Just Five Months
According to the details mentioned in the report, feed companies increased shrimp feed prices by around ₹4,000 per tonne in February. In June, they reportedly raised prices again by ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 per tonne. Farmers claim that another hike of ₹9,000 to ₹12,000 per tonne has been imposed recently.
As a result, prices of several varieties of shrimp feed have increased significantly. Farmers say that feed varieties that were priced at around ₹2,630 have also become more expensive. Depending on the type of shrimp, the price increase is reportedly placing an additional burden of ₹300 to ₹450 on farmers.
Aqua farmers have made it clear that continuing to increase prices in stages will make it increasingly difficult for them to continue shrimp cultivation.
Farmers Bear the Loss While Companies Continue to Profit?
If shrimp prices increase, farmers may get some relief. However, with market prices remaining uncertain, aqua farmers argue that they are losing income while feed companies continue to increase prices, thereby placing an additional burden on them.
Farmers’ investment is increasing, the risks are increasing, and any losses are borne entirely by the farmers. Yet feed prices continue to be increased at the companies’ discretion, they allege.
Farmers are questioning why the government is remaining a mere spectator in such circumstances. Allegations that the government is favouring feed companies instead of protecting farmers’ interests have triggered serious concern within the aquaculture sector.
Will a ‘Crop Holiday’ Be the Next Step If Prices Are Not Reduced?
Farmers are warning that if feed prices continue to rise, it will become extremely difficult to continue shrimp cultivation. They fear that continuing cultivation without adequate returns on investment could push them further into debt.
Farmer associations have reportedly decided to prepare for a series of protests in phases until feed prices are reduced. Farmers have also warned that, if necessary, they may be forced to stop cultivation and declare a ‘crop holiday’.
Aqua Farmers to Lay Siege to Fisheries Department Commissionerate Today
Aqua farmers have called for a siege of the Fisheries Department Commissionerate today in protest against the increase in feed prices. They are demanding that the government immediately intervene and take steps to roll back the price hikes.
Farmers are seeking a comprehensive review of feed prices to reduce the financial burden on them. They are also demanding that the government strengthen the regulatory mechanism to prevent companies from increasing prices arbitrarily.
Farmer groups have further demanded that a system be introduced to review shrimp feed prices during specific periods, such as November and December, rather than allowing companies to increase prices frequently. They want feed prices to be determined by taking farmers’ incomes and prevailing market conditions into account.
Farmers Lash Out at Chandrababu Government
The key question now being raised is why the government has failed to stop feed companies from repeatedly increasing prices. Farmers are questioning why a government that came to power promising farmer welfare remains silent while farmers’ financial burden continues to grow.
They are demanding that the government abandon policies that allegedly favour companies and instead take decisions in the interests of farmers.
Although the aquaculture sector plays a crucial role in the state’s economy and exports, farmer groups warn that serious consequences could follow if the government fails to address the problems of the farmers who sustain the sector.
Rising Feed Prices Push Aqua Farmers to the Brink of a Crop Holiday
Aqua farmers are struggling under the burden of rising feed prices. Farmers say that feed prices increasing by up to ₹26,000 per tonne within five months have completely disrupted their cultivation calculations. Anger is growing among farmers over the government’s alleged failure to intervene and stop the repeated price hikes by feed companies.
The siege of the Fisheries Department Commissionerate today, followed by phased protests and warnings of a possible crop holiday, highlight the seriousness of the crisis facing the aquaculture sector.
Will the government reduce feed prices? Will it respond to the anger of aqua farmers? Or will the farmers’ agitation intensify and eventually lead to a crop holiday? The answer now rests with the Chandrababu Naidu government.
