Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh Fisheries Minister K Atchannaidu on Wednesday warned shrimp feed manufacturing companies against “taking advantage of the hardships of aquaculture farmers”, stressing that unilateral price hikes would not be acceptable, following which the manufacturers agreed to put on hold the proposed feed price hike.
The instructions come after manufacturers recently moved to raise feed prices by up to… $10 per kilogram, a move that threatened the narrow margins of the aquaculture sector in the state.
The Minister expressed concern that the proposed increase in shrimp feed prices will impose an additional financial burden on thousands of aquaculture farmers across the state at a time when the aquaculture sector is already facing multiple challenges.
“Feed companies should not profit from the difficulties faced by farmers and unilateral price hikes will not be accepted,” Atchannaidu said in an official press release, after shrimp feed manufacturers agreed to suspend the proposed feed price increase.
During a video conference with representatives of feed manufacturers, aquaculture farmer associations and officials, he stressed that protecting the interests of farmers remains the coalition government’s top priority and warned that any move that harms aquaculture farmers will not be tolerated.
He stressed that increasing prices unilaterally without taking farmers’ opinions into account is not the right approach, warning that the government will not remain silent if additional burdens are imposed on farmers.
Based on the Minister’s directives, representatives of the Shrimp Feed Manufacturers Association informed the government in writing to suspend implementation of the feed price increase with immediate effect.
However, the association explained that it was forced to study feed prices due to the continuous rise in the costs of raw materials, but it agreed to postpone the increase while respecting the minister’s suggestions and directives.
Atchannaidu announced that a joint meeting involving farmers, feed manufacturing companies and officials will be held on May 15 to reach a mutually acceptable decision that protects the interests of farmers while ensuring the sustainability of the industry.
He stressed that no unilateral decision would be taken that would jeopardize farmers’ livelihoods, and that the state government’s primary goal was to protect their interests.
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