Centre committed to fair prices, export growth for aquaculture and tobacco farmers: Piyush Goyal
New Delhi, July 21
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has reiterated the Centre's commitment to strengthening the aquaculture sector to boost India's coastal economy, improve farmers' livelihoods and create new opportunities for export growth.
In a post on social media platform X, Goyal said he held a productive interaction with stakeholders from the aquaculture and tobacco industries of Andhra Pradesh.
"We discussed opportunities to further strengthen the aquaculture sector to boost India's coastal economy," Goyal said.
The minister reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring better livelihoods for farmers through fair prices, improved market access and the creation of new avenues for export growth.
He said these efforts would also contribute to accelerating Andhra Pradesh's economic progress, with aquaculture remaining one of the state's key export-oriented sectors and a major contributor to India's seafood exports.
The meeting was attended by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, BJP leader D. Purandeswari, TDP Parliamentary Party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, and Andhra Pradesh ministers K. Atchannaidu, Gottipati Ravi Kumar and Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy.
The interaction assumes significance as it came on the same day Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu urged the Centre to take a series of measures to safeguard the interests of the state's aquaculture and tobacco farmers amid rising input costs and growing competition in global markets.
In separate letters to Union ministers, including Goyal, the Chief Minister sought permission to import genetically modified (GM) soybean meal for shrimp feed manufacturers, regulation of fish meal exports to ensure adequate domestic availability, export incentives for tobacco, a reduction in GST on key aquaculture inputs, and the establishment of a regional office of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) in Amaravati.
In his letter to Goyal, Naidu requested measures to regulate fish meal exports so that domestic demand is met before overseas shipments are permitted. He also reiterated the demand to allow imports of GM soybean meal, saying it would help address shortages and reduce feed costs for shrimp farmers.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally some attention to aquaculture! Growing up in coastal Andhra, I've seen how shrimp farming transformed villages. But with climate change and disease outbreaks, government support is crucial. Fair pricing is the key, otherwise middlemen eat up all the profits. 🦐
Interesting to see tobacco still getting attention. In the West, demand is dropping due to health awareness. Is it wise for India to invest in a declining industry? Should focus more on sustainable alternatives for farmers instead.
Chandrababu Naidu's letter raises valid points—fish meal regulation and GM soybean import could stabilise feed prices. But why not invest in local alternatives instead? Relying on GM imports doesn't solve long-term self-reliance. India needs to boost domestic feed production. 🌱
As someone from Vizag, I can say aquaculture is the backbone of our coastal economy. But the real challenge is small farmers getting squeezed by big corporates and export regulations. Hope this meeting leads to simpler procedures and better credit access for them.
The regional NFDB office in Amaravati is a great idea! Fishermen in Andhra often have to travel to Chennai or Hyderabad for approvals. Decentralising fisheries development is long overdue. Hope the Centre delivers on this quickly. 🐟
D David E