Andhra CM Appeals to Centre Over Soaring Shrimp Feed Prices, Seeks Relief for Aquaculture Farmers

In a move that underscores the growing distress among Andhra’s coastal growers, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Moh an Reddy on Tuesday sent a formal letter to the Union Home Ministry and the Ministry of Fisheries, flagging a sharp rise in shrimp‑feed prices that is choking the state’s booming aquaculture sector.

According to the CM’s office, the cost of commercial feed – the single biggest expense for shrimp farms – has surged by roughly 20 percent over the past three months. The hike is largely being blamed on soaring raw‑material prices, especially fishmeal and soybean meal, which have been hit hard by global supply‑chain snags.

“Our shrimp farmers are facing an unprecedented squeeze,” the letter reads. “Many are on the brink of bankruptcy, and we cannot stand by while a critical source of income for coastal families erodes.” The CM asked the centre to consider a range of relief measures: a temporary subsidy on feed, easing of import duties on key ingredients, and the possibility of a special loan scheme for small‑scale growers.

He reminded the Union that Andhra Pradesh contributes more than 70 percent of India’s total shrimp export volume, a figure that translates into billions of rupees in foreign‑exchange earnings. A collapse in the sector, he warned, would not only hurt farmers but also dent the country’s export basket.

While the Union government has yet to issue an official response, senior officials in the Ministry of Fisheries have reportedly acknowledged the issue and said a “quick look‑through” of the demands is underway. Sources close to the ministry hinted that a limited‑time feed subsidy could be floated under the existing National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) scheme, though details remain sketchy.

Farmers’ associations across Visakhapatnam, East Godavari and Krishna districts have welcomed the CM’s outreach, describing it as a “much‑needed lifeline.” In the meantime, many shrimp growers are resorting to cost‑cutting tricks – switching to cheaper, lower‑quality feed or reducing stocking densities – strategies that could compromise yield and quality.

As the monsoon season approaches, the pressure is likely to mount. For now, all eyes remain on New Delhi, where a swift, decisive policy could mean the difference between a thriving aquaculture industry and a wave of farm closures.