Jagan slams Chandrababu Naidu for inaction to check shrimp prices crash

Amaravati, April 7 (IANS) Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and YSR Congress Party President Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has slammed the TDP-led NDA government for neglecting the state’s aquaculture sector and the plight of farmers.  

Jagan Mohan Reddy questioned the lack of response from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to the severe crisis faced by the aquaculture industry, particularly with shrimp prices plummeting from Rs 280 to Rs 200-210 per 100-count and continuing to decline further.

The YSRCP chief alleged that traders linked to the ruling party have formed a syndicate, exploiting farmers under the pretext of American tariffs, while the government failed to intervene or conduct a state-level review to address the falling prices and take decisive action.

He remarked that merely writing a letter to the central government and washing their hands of responsibility is unjustifiable when farmers are in distress.

He further highlighted the broader agricultural crisis under the coalition government, stating that since it assumed power, farmers have not been getting remunerative prices for crops such as paddy, cotton, tobacco, chili, pulses, bananas, and tomatoes. He said middlemen were exploiting farmers while the government remained indifferent.

He accused the administration of evading accountability by launching counterattacks instead of addressing the issues responsibly, a pattern he claims is now evident in the aquaculture sector as well.

Referring to the steps taken by the previous government of YSRCP, Jagan noted that Andhra Pradesh’s aquaculture sector, a national leader in exports and foreign exchange earnings, was bolstered by the establishment of the Aquaculture Development Authority, which regulated seed and feed prices, ensured quality through special legislation, and curbed exploitative syndicates. For the first time in the state’s history, his government fixed shrimp prices, setting a minimum of Rs 210 per 100-count during the COVID-19 period five years ago, reduced feed prices three times, and supported farmers as a pillar of strength.

Jagan contrasted this with the current scenario, where, despite a reduction in import duties on raw materials like fish oil and soybeans from 15 per cent to 5 per cent, feed prices have not decreased by even a paisa under the coalition government, despite the existence of a regulatory board established during his tenure.

Jagan demanded that Chandrababu Naidu immediately announce fixed prices for shrimp to halt the price collapse, and take stringent action against those exploiting farmers under the guise of America’s tariffs. He stressed that these tariffs are not unique to India and will persist, rendering the government’s approach of merely writing letters inadequate.

Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday urged the Centre to stand by the aqua sector, which is in deep crisis due to heavy duty being levied by the United States.

In a letter to the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, the Chief Minister appealed to the Centre to hold discussions with the US administration to include aqua products in the list of products exempted from additional duty.

The Chief Minister stated that timely intervention by the Centre can safeguard the livelihood of lakhs of people who depend on the aqua sector.

Naidu mentioned in the letter that the US Administration has imposed a 27 per cent import duty on marine food exports from India.