AP CM Naidu urges Centre to check rise in shrimp feed prices

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has written to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal seeking urgent intervention to address difficulties faced by aquaculture farmers due to the sharp rise in shrimp feed raw material prices. He highlighted that escalating prices of raw materials used in shrimp feed production have led to an additional burden of nearly ₹25,000 per tonne on the farmers, increasing the cost of cultivation. He urged the Centre to regulate prices of shrimp feed raw materials and to ensure adequate availability of raw materials for domestic requirements, while also suggesting easing import restrictions on soybean meal and soy oil, which are major components in shrimp feed manufacturing. He emphasised that making feed available at affordable prices is essential to sustain aquaculture and prevent distress among farmers. Further, Naidu proposed the establishment of a dedicated monitoring mechanism to oversee fluctuations in feed prices and ensure transparency in the supply chain, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts between the Centre and the State government to safeguard the long-term sustainability of the aquaculture sector.