YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has demanded that the State government take immediate steps to reduce aqua feed prices and provide relief to the farmers facing financial stress.

“If feed prices are not brought down by the end of June, the YSRCP will join the aqua farmers in a State-wide agitation during the first week of July,” Mr. Jagan warned while addressing the aqua farmers and representatives of the A.P. Prawn Federation at the party central office in Tadepalli on Tuesday.

The farmers informed him that rising feed costs, declining shrimp prices and increasing production expenses were making aquaculture economically unviable.

The former Chief Minister said the YSRCP government had extended significant support to the aquaculture sector by supplying electricity at ₹1.50 per unit, as promised in its manifesto. He claimed that more than ₹3,300 crore was spent on power subsidies for aqua farmers during the YSRCP’s tenure.

He also expressed concern over G.O. Rt. No. 169, stating that the power factor-related conditions prescribed under the order could affect the continuation of electricity subsidies to farmers.

Highlighting measures introduced during the YSRCP regime, he said the establishment of the Andhra Pradesh State Aqua Development Agency (APSADA), quality-control mechanisms for feed, integrated testing laboratories and fisheries assistants had strengthened the sector and protected farmers from exploitation.

Accusing the government of weakening regulatory oversight, he alleged that feed manufacturers had raised prices sharply. He said feed prices for Vannamei shrimp increased by around ₹10 per kg and those for Tiger shrimp by nearly ₹12 per kg. He said feed prices had risen by almost ₹16 per kg between February and June, while shrimp market rates had fallen below production costs.

Representatives of the aqua sector sought government intervention to address rising costs and safeguard farmers’ livelihoods.