Archive · 3 Aug 2026
Aqua Farmers Face Crisis Over Rising Feed Costs
A former state agriculture minister named Kakani Govardhan Reddy says that people who grow shrimp and fish in Andhra Pradesh are having a hard time.
He says the food for the fish, called feed, has become more expensive by about 14 rupees for each kilogram.
He also says the electricity that the farmers use is costing them more than the government promised.
The fish are also dying because the seed they get is not good.
Traders are making a lot of money while the farmers get very little.
Kakani wants the government to make the feed cheaper, give good seed, and keep the electricity price low.
He says the state will protest if nothing changes.
Former Andhra Pradesh agriculture minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy claims aqua farmers face crisis due to rising feed costs, lack of government support, and middlemen exploitation.
He cites a 14 rupee per kg increase in aqua feed prices and higher electricity bills than the promised Rs 1.50 per unit subsidy.
Kakani alleges poor-quality seed from hatcheries and disease outbreaks are causing low survival rates and heavy losses.
He accuses traders and middlemen of suppressing harvest prices, forcing farmers to sell below remunerative rates.
The former minister demands government regulation of feed prices, enforcement of seed quality controls, uniform power subsidy implementation, and warns of YSRC protests if issues remain unaddressed.
- Who
- Kakani Govardhan Reddy, former Andhra Pradesh agriculture minister and YSRC Nellore district president
- What
- Claims a crisis for aqua farmers due to high feed costs, inadequate subsidies, poor seed quality, and middlemen exploitation
- When
- Sunday visit to Eduru village (recently)
- Where
- Eduru village, Thotapalligudur mandal, Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh
- Why
- Rising feed prices, lack of government support, and exploitation by traders
- Key Issues
- Rising feed costs, inadequate power subsidy, poor seed quality, middlemen exploitation
- Key Figures
- Kakani Govardhan Reddy, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
- Location
- Eduru village, Thotapalligudur mandal, Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh
- Government Response
- Alleged neglect by coalition government
- Proposed Actions
- Regulate feed prices, enforce seed quality, implement power subsidy
