Fisheries Minister Atchannaidu says aquaculture issues will be addressed as a matter of priority

Fisheries Minister K. Atchannaidu. | Photo credit: File Photo

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu said on Thursday that the state government is giving top priority to addressing issues affecting aquaculture and ensuring its long-term sustainability through transparent policies and strict quality monitoring.

Speaking at a video conference organized by the Fisheries Ministry, Mr. Atchannaidu said the government had comprehensively heard the concerns and suggestions of aquafarmers, feed producers, exporters and industry representatives on issues such as rising shrimp feed prices, raw material shortages, rising cultivation costs and export-related issues.

Mr. Atchannaidu noted that the increase in feed prices during the ongoing summer crop season could have a severe impact on farmers, while the feed industry was also facing pressure due to escalating raw material costs. He assured the stakeholders that the government will take balanced decisions, protect the interests of farmers while ensuring the survival and growth of the fodder industry.

The minister said the government is focusing on improving the quality of fodder and seed through stricter monitoring systems. He announced that technology-based measures such as CCTV-based hatchery surveillance, seed traceability and IoT-based monitoring systems will be further strengthened to ensure quality standards in the industry.

He also said that the state government would submit a detailed report to the Center on issues such as import of GM soybeans, availability of fishmeal, import licenses and competitiveness of exports.

Mr. Atchannaidu called on all stakeholders to work together for aquaculture welfare, feed industry stability and export growth.

Published – 28 May 2026 19:45 IST