Aqua Farmers in Andhra Pradesh Cry for Help
Once regarded as India’s model state for aquaculture, Andhra Pradesh’s aqua sector is now facing one of its worst crises in recent years. While shrimp processing companies have sharply reduced procurement prices, feed manufacturers have simultaneously increased feed costs by as much as ₹16,000 per tonne. Adding to the burden are viral diseases, unpredictable weather, rising cultivation expenses, and concerns over electricity subsidy implementation, pushing thousands of farmers into severe financial distress.
Farmers allege that despite the alarming situation, the government has limited itself to routine review meetings without introducing concrete relief measures. If the current situation continues, many farmers warn they may be forced to declare a crop holiday.
Shrimp Prices Crash, Feed Costs Soar: Farmers Left with Losses
The biggest concern for aqua farmers today is the steep decline in shrimp procurement prices. Processing companies have reportedly reduced prices by up to ₹80 per count, significantly affecting farmers’ incomes.
At the same time, leading feed manufacturers have increased feed prices by as much as ₹16,000 per tonne. Farmers allege that several major feed companies, including Avanti, BMR, and Sandhya, are linked to leaders of the ruling party. As production costs continue to rise, farmers say they are no longer receiving remunerative prices for their produce.
Viral Diseases, Climate Change and Rising Costs Deepen the Crisis
Frequent viral outbreaks and adverse weather conditions have severely impacted shrimp production in several ponds. Farmers who invested lakhs and even crores of rupees are struggling to recover even their basic investments due to poor yields.
Declining production, falling market prices, and escalating cultivation expenses have together pushed many farmers into an unprecedented financial crisis.
What Does the e-Fish Data Reveal?
According to official e-Fish data:
- Around 1.62 lakh farmers are engaged in aquaculture across Andhra Pradesh.
- Aquaculture is spread over 5.72 lakh acres.
- The state produces more than 10 lakh tonnes of aquaculture products annually.
- Nearly 80% of aqua farmers are small and marginal farmers.
Farmer associations say these small-scale farmers are bearing the brunt of the ongoing crisis.
Medicines and Seed Prices Rise Sharply in Just Two Years
Farmers claim that aquaculture production costs, which remained relatively stable during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government, have increased significantly over the past two years.
- Prices of medicines used in shrimp farming have increased by nearly 30%.
- Shrimp seed prices, which were reduced from 35 paise to 33 paise during the previous government, have now returned to 35 paise per seed.
These increases have substantially raised cultivation costs.
Power Factor Rules Allegedly Affect Electricity Subsidy
Farmers also allege that electricity subsidies are not being fully implemented due to the enforcement of Power Factor norms. Rising electricity bills have further increased the financial burden on farmers who are already operating under heavy losses.
Relief Measures Extended During the YS Jagan Government
After assuming office in 2019, former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy implemented his election promise by providing electricity to aqua farmers at ₹1.50 per unit.
The government also cleared ₹309.95 crore in pending electricity dues accumulated during the previous TDP government.
Major initiatives during that period included:
- Subsidy extended to 54,033 out of 64,735 aquaculture electricity connections.
- Nearly 84% of power connections brought under the subsidy scheme.
- Around 95% of aqua farmers benefited from the programme.
- ₹3,804 crore spent on electricity subsidies between 2019 and 2024.
- Streamlining of the Aquaculture Zonation System.
- Legal protection through APSADA, the AP Fish Feed Act, and the Seed Act.
Government Intervention Helped Prevent Feed Price Hikes
During the previous government, officials intervened whenever feed companies increased prices and reportedly compelled them to withdraw price hikes on three separate occasions.
According to officials at the time, this prevented an additional burden of nearly ₹8,600 per tonne on farmers.
The government also conducted shrimp price review meetings every 15 days to help ensure farmers received fair market prices.
Farmers Say Government Reviews Alone Are Not Enough
Farmers argue that the current situation has deteriorated significantly.
Their major concerns include:
- Sharp fall in shrimp procurement prices.
- Massive increase in feed costs.
- Rising medicine and seed prices.
- Viral infections damaging crops.
- Climate-related production losses.
- Uncertainty over electricity subsidies.
- Lack of remunerative prices.
They allege that despite these challenges, the government has confined itself to review meetings without introducing effective policy interventions.
Aqua Farmers Move Towards Declaring Crop Holiday
With cultivation becoming increasingly unviable, many aqua farmers are now considering a crop holiday rather than incurring further losses.
Experts warn that if aquaculture production declines significantly, the impact will extend beyond farmers to agricultural labourers, seafood exports, allied industries, and the overall economy of Andhra Pradesh.
Will the Government Rescue Aqua Farmers Before It’s Too Late?
A sector that once made Andhra Pradesh the national leader in aquaculture is now facing a severe economic crisis. Falling shrimp prices, soaring feed costs, expensive medicines and seed, viral diseases, climate-related challenges, and uncertainty over electricity subsidies have pushed thousands of farmers into financial hardship.
Farmers are demanding the restoration of measures such as electricity subsidies, stricter regulation of feed prices, regular market interventions, and policies that ensure fair prices for shrimp. They warn that unless the government takes immediate corrective action to stabilize the market, reduce input costs, and support farmers, Andhra Pradesh’s aquaculture sector could soon witness a large-scale crop holiday with serious consequences for the state’s economy.
