Feed Price shock pushes Aqua Farmers into Crisis
The Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government has pushed Andhra Pradesh’s aqua sector into a deep crisis by colluding with aqua feed companies and allowing arbitrary hikes in feed prices, leaving already distressed aqua farmers completely shattered. With aqua produce prices continuously crashing in the market, farmers are now being crushed further by massive feed price increases. Even as farmers are forced onto the roads in protest, the government is attempting to distance itself from the controversy and mislead farmers by claiming it has no role in the price hike.
But the question being raised across the aqua sector is clear: Can feed companies increase prices without the knowledge or approval of APSEDA, a regulatory body chaired by the Chief Minister himself? If APSEDA exists to regulate the sector, how can companies openly defy the system unless they enjoy direct political protection from the ruling coalition? Strong allegations are now emerging that aqua feed companies are closely linked to TDP coalition leaders and that the government remained silent because of commission deals with those companies.
No Sector spared From Exploitation Under Coalition Rule
Under Chandrababu Naidu’s administration, no sector has been spared from exploitation, and the aqua sector has now become another victim of corporate-political collusion. Instead of protecting aqua farmers, the coalition government completely dismantled every reform and protection mechanism introduced during the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government for the welfare of aqua farmers.
The YSRCP government had brought in a dedicated law to protect aqua farmers from syndicates, middlemen, and corporate exploitation. It established APSEDA as a powerful regulatory authority with the Chief Minister as Chairman. The institution was entrusted with responsibilities ranging from maintaining seed and feed quality standards to regulating feed prices and ensuring fair prices for aqua produce in line with international markets. The Jagan government also supplied electricity to aqua farmers at just Rs.1.50 per unit and stood firmly with the sector during times of crisis.
However, after coming to power, the coalition government deliberately weakened APSEDA and dismantled the entire regulatory framework that protected farmers. Aqua farmers allege that instead of regulating companies, the government has now become a shield for them.
Aqua Farmers crushed between Falling Prices and Rising costs
Farmers say that since the coalition government assumed office, shrimp prices have only fallen while uncertainty has completely taken over the sector. During the YSRCP government, once prices were fixed they remained stable for at least 15 days, and farmers were protected from sudden market manipulation. Now, farmers say they do not know what price they will get even from one day to the next.
The situation worsened further after the Trump administration in the United States imposed higher tariffs on imported food products from India, severely impacting Andhra Pradesh’s aqua exports. Using the US tariff issue as an excuse, shrimp-buying companies allegedly formed syndicates and slashed prices by Rs.20 to Rs.40 per kilogram. Farmers accuse the coalition government of remaining completely silent despite the massive losses being suffered by the sector.
In contrast, whenever similar crises emerged during the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government, the administration directly intervened to protect farmers. An Aqua Empowerment Committee led by ministers regularly reviewed international market trends through APSEDA every 15 days and ensured that farmers received fair support prices. Even during the COVID crisis, when companies attempted to form syndicates and crash prices, the government stepped in on a war footing to stabilize the sector and protect aqua farmers from exploitation.
Feed Price hike seen as Final blow to Aqua Farmers
Aqua farmers now say the feed price hike has become the final blow in an already collapsing sector. Instead of supporting struggling farmers, the coalition government is openly backing companies that are increasing feed prices and pushing farmers deeper into debt and uncertainty. Farmers and opposition leaders argue that the government has abandoned its responsibility and allowed the aqua sector to be captured by syndicates and commission networks.
With anger rapidly growing across coastal Andhra Pradesh, demands are intensifying for the government to immediately roll back feed price hikes, restore APSEDA’s regulatory authority, and protect aqua farmers from corporate exploitation before the sector suffers irreversible damage.
