YS Jagan Warns Coalition Government
Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy met aqua farmers from various districts and representatives of the Andhra Pradesh Prawn Federation at the party’s central office in Tadepalli, where they explained the severe crisis facing the aqua sector. After listening to them in detail, Y.S. Jagan assured the farmers of his full support.
He said that during the YSRCP government, the aqua sector received unwavering support and that the promise of supplying electricity to aqua farmers at Rs.1.50 per unit, as mentioned in the party manifesto, was fully implemented. Over 57 months, the government spent Rs.3,306 crore towards electricity subsidy for aqua farmers, providing substantial relief to the sector.
Recalling the previous TDP government, Y.S. Jagan said that between 2014 and 2019, aqua farmers paid Rs.3.85 per unit for electricity. Though Chandrababu Naidu announced Rs.2 per unit power tariff during the last six months before elections and even issued a Government Order, the promise was never implemented.
He further alleged that the coalition government is now attempting to reduce power subsidies for aqua farmers through G.O. Rt. No.169 issued a week ago. Referring to Clause 4, which mandates maintenance of the prescribed Power Factor (PF), he said the condition is extremely difficult for aqua motors to meet and would ultimately become a tool to deny electricity subsidy to thousands of farmers.
Y.S. Jagan stated that before 2019, the entire aqua seed and feed industry was controlled by a single syndicate, with the same group deciding seed prices, feed prices, and even the procurement price of shrimp produced by farmers, leaving the aqua sector devastated. To protect farmers, the YSRCP government established APSADA as a regulatory shield and implemented the AP Fish Feed (Quality Control) Act, 2020, making aqua companies accountable to farmers and bringing transparency to the sector.
He said the present coalition government has deliberately weakened APSADA and allowed feed companies to increase prices without its approval or consent. Feed prices have been increased by Rs.10 per kg for Vanami feed and Rs.12 per kg for Tiger feed, prompting him to question whether this was due to a “CBN Tax” or “Lokesh Tax.” He demanded that the increased feed prices be rolled back immediately.
Highlighting the initiatives undertaken during his tenure, Y.S. Jagan said the government established 35 integrated laboratories across coastal districts for the aqua sector, appointed 782 Fisheries Assistants in RBKs to provide technical guidance and scientific support to farmers throughout the cultivation cycle, and ensured continuous extension services. These initiatives earned Andhra Pradesh the SKOCH Award and the Best Marine State Award, while also making the state No.1 in the country in shrimp production and exports, with significant growth compared to the Chandrababu Naidu government.
Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy demanded that the steep hike in aqua feed prices be rolled back by the end of this month, warning that if the government fails to do so, he will launch an agitation alongside aqua farmers on July 1 or 2. He said that during the 2019–2024 YSRCP government, the aqua sector received unwavering support, with the promise of supplying electricity at Rs.1.50 per unit fully implemented. Over a period of 57 months, the government spent Rs.3,306 crore towards electricity subsidy for aqua farmers.
He recalled that during the 2014–2019 TDP government, aqua farmers were charged Rs.3.85 per unit for electricity. Though Chandrababu Naidu announced a tariff of Rs.2 per unit and even issued a Government Order six months before the 2019 elections, the promise was never implemented. He further alleged that the present coalition government is now threatening to curtail power subsidies for farmers within designated zones through G.O. Rt. No.169 issued last week, pointing out that Clause 4, which mandates maintenance of a specified Power Factor (PF), is practically impossible for the motors used by aqua farmers to comply with. He said this was nothing but a deliberate attempt to deny electricity subsidy to aqua farmers and reiterated that YSRCP has always stood firmly with the aqua sector and will continue to do so.
Amid the deepening crisis in the aqua industry, aqua farmers from various districts and representatives of the AP Prawn Federation met Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli and explained the hardships they are facing. After listening to them patiently, he assured them of the party’s complete support.
Speaking further, Y.S. Jagan said that today both farmers and aqua farmers are passing through one of the most difficult phases in recent history. He stated that during the YSRCP government, every effort was made to ensure their prosperity, resulting in transformative reforms never seen before. “We stood by farmers at every step,” he said, recalling the establishment of over 10,000 Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) across the state and the appointment of 782 Fisheries Assistants to provide technical support to aqua farmers. To ensure quality seed and feed testing, the government established 35 Integrated Aqua Laboratories in major aqua cultivation regions. In addition, the YSRCP government created APSADA, with the Chief Minister as its Chairman, to regulate the sector and prevent syndicates from exploiting farmers, ensuring that no cartel could dominate the industry or betray the interests of aqua farmers.
Electricity at Rs.1.50 per Unit:
“We supplied electricity to aqua farmers at just Rs.1.50 per unit, providing substantial relief to the sector. For this alone, our government spent Rs.3,306 crore as electricity subsidy. After we included this commitment in our election manifesto, Chandrababu Naidu announced that he would reduce the tariff from Rs.3.85 to Rs.2 per unit and even issued orders to that effect. However, he never implemented the promise, thereby denying aqua farmers electricity subsidy worth Rs.340 crore.”
Awards, Production and Export Growth in the Aqua Sector:
“Because our government stood firmly with the aqua sector in every possible way, aqua farming flourished like a festival. As a result, Andhra Pradesh received the prestigious SKOCH Award for Domestic Fish Marketing, besides being recognised as the Best Marine State for the years 2021–22 and 2023–24.
Aqua production also witnessed remarkable growth during our tenure. Total fish and shrimp production increased from 38 lakh tonnes in 2018–19 to 51 lakh tonnes by 2022–23. Freshwater shrimp production rose from 4.55 lakh tonnes to 9.56 lakh tonnes, while seawater shrimp production increased from 5.28 lakh tonnes to 7.15 lakh tonnes. Overall, combined marine, freshwater and seawater shrimp production grew from 11 lakh tonnes to 18.50 lakh tonnes within five years.”
Growth in Aqua Exports:
“During Chandrababu Naidu’s tenure in 2018–19, Andhra Pradesh exported 2.61 lakh tonnes of aqua products worth Rs.13,855 crore. Under our government, by 2022–23, aqua exports increased to 3.28 lakh tonnes valued at Rs.19,847 crore, reflecting the significant progress achieved by the sector.”
Our Government’s Commitment:
“These achievements were possible because our government had the commitment and sincerity to strengthen the aqua sector. With that vision, we initiated the establishment of an Aqua University, allocated Rs.100 crore for construction of its permanent campus, and simultaneously started academic classes in temporary buildings. Unfortunately, after coming to power, the coalition government has completely abandoned this important institution and its development.”
Everyone is Now Part of the Same Syndicate
“Today, the entire aqua sector—from seed and feed to processing—is controlled by the same group of people, all of whom are close to Chandrababu Naidu. Reducing shrimp prices during the production cycle while reviewing and increasing feed prices during the fishing ban period is nothing but a calculated conspiracy. Because of the failures of this government, aqua farmers are facing unprecedented hardships.
Roll Back Feed Prices or Face Agitation on July 1 or 2
Feed prices have increased by nearly Rs.16 per kilogram between February and June. The government must ensure that these prices are reduced before the end of this month. Otherwise, we will launch a statewide agitation along with aqua farmers on July 1 or 2. Let the entire state witness the gravity of this issue, and let us raise our voice loudly for the rights of aqua farmers. We are giving the government time until the end of this month to act. If it fails to roll back the hike, we will take the problems of aqua farmers to the attention of the entire nation.
Aqua farmers are in such deep distress that they cannot even declare a crop holiday. If they stop cultivation, the equipment and infrastructure used for aqua farming will rust and become unusable. The ponds they have excavated will also become barren and economically worthless.
Then What Tax Is This?
“When feed prices increased marginally during our government, they branded it as the ‘Jagan Tax’ and ran a false propaganda campaign. Today, feed prices have been increased drastically. So what should this be called? Whose tax is this? Where is this money going? Coincidentally, on the very day you (aqua farmers) came to meet me, seed and feed manufacturers issued newspaper advertisements attempting to justify the price hike.”
Syndicate Has Turned Into Open Exploitation
“They have now formed a full-fledged syndicate and collectively increased prices at will. They conveniently review feed prices during the fishing ban period and use that as an excuse to impose higher rates. This is neither fair nor scientific. Price reviews should be conducted during periods of abundant fisheries production and decisions should be based on actual market conditions.”
Cooperative Model Can Protect Farmers
“If the aqua seed and feed sectors operate through a cooperative model, such syndicates and exploitation will become impossible. The success of Amul in the dairy sector proves how a cooperative structure can protect producers and ensure fair returns to farmers.”
APSADA Was Created to Break the Syndicate
“Before our government came to power, the aqua sector suffered under a similar syndicate, pushing farmers into severe distress. To protect them, our government not only supplied electricity at Rs.1.50 per unit but also established the Andhra Pradesh State Aqua Development Authority (APSADA) with the Chief Minister as its Chairman. We also enacted the AP Fish Feed (Quality Control) Act, 2020, making seed and feed companies accountable to farmers and introducing regulatory oversight over the sector.
The present coalition government has systematically weakened APSADA. As a result, feed companies have increased prices without APSADA’s approval or permission. Vannamei feed prices have been increased by Rs.10 per kg and Tiger feed by Rs.12 per kg. So what is this tax now? Is it the ‘CBN Tax’ or the ‘Lokesh Tax’? The government must immediately roll back the increased aqua feed prices.”
APSADA Broke the Syndicate
“Through APSADA, we not only dismantled the syndicate operating in the aqua sector but also forced feed companies to roll back price hikes on three separate occasions. When Thailand-based CPF Company attempted to increase feed prices by Rs.6.80 per kg in one go, aqua farmers brought the issue to the government’s notice. We immediately summoned the company representatives and directed them to withdraw the hike, warning that the Fish Feed Act would be invoked if they failed to comply. They backed down. That is how sincerely we worked to protect aqua farmers.
Today, however, the entire aqua seed, feed, and processing industry is controlled by a single group of people who are close to the ruling establishment. That is why no action is being taken against them.”
Regular Review of Shrimp Prices
“During our government, APSADA reviewed international shrimp prices once every 15 days to ensure that farmers received the government-prescribed support price. Shrimp of 100 count was purchased at Rs.245 per kg, while 30 count shrimp fetched Rs.470 per kg. Today, production costs have risen sharply, but shrimp prices have not increased—instead, they have fallen—pushing aqua farmers into severe losses.”
