The Empowered Committee constituted by the State government has taken noteworthy measures to assist aqua farmers by implementing controlled pricing for aqua feed and seeds on six occasions. Committee members, including ministers Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, Botcha Satyanarayana, and Seediri Appalaraju, highlighted the positive impact of these interventions on the aqua farming community.
Meeting at the State Secretariat, the Empowered Committee addressed the historical challenges faced by aqua farmers due to the absence of a regulatory mechanism controlling aqua feed and seed prices. The committee emphasized that, out of the expansive aqua zone covering 4.65 lakh acres, a substantial 3.26 lakh acres held by farmers with less than 10 acres each were eligible for electricity subsidy.
Acknowledging the hardships encountered by the aqua sector due to international market fluctuations, the committee stated that the periodic meetings conducted by the empowered committee have proven effective in uplifting the sector. Acting on Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s directive to provide power subsidy to aqua farmers, an e-fish survey identified 46,433 aqua electricity connections eligible for subsidy. Additionally, 4,230 electricity connections were granted subsidy based on applications from farmers. The subsidy for new connections is slated to commence from November 1.
The empowered committee also emphasized the fixation of Rs 240 as the price for a kilogram of 100 count prawns, cautioning merchants against purchasing below the specified amount.
Special Chief Secretary (Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries) Gopal Krishna Dwivedi, Commissioner (Fisheries) Kanna Babu, and other officials were present during the committee’s discussions. This concerted effort by the State’s Empowered Committee reflects a commitment to supporting aqua farmers and fortifying the aquaculture industry against economic uncertainties.