Andhra Pradesh State government convenes stakeholders’ meetings on Wednesday (10th June 2020) and on Friday (12th June 2020) at Bhimavaram in West Godavari district and at Kakinada, East Godavari district respectively to deliberate on the constitution of AP State Aquaculture Authority.
Mopidevi Venkataramana Ramana, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Government of Andhra Pradesh is scheduled to attend the meeting.
The Authority will monitor the hatchery activities from seed to marketing and assure minimum support price to farmers among others.
In an official communication to all coastal district fisheries officers in Andhra Pradesh, the State Government has asked fisheries officers of West Godavari Krishna, Guntur, Prakasham and Nellore districts to mobilize fish farmers, shrimp farmers, feed manufacturers, lab technicians, exporters, pre-processors, agents/buyers, stakeholders of hatcheries/larva rearing units from their districts to the stakeholders’ meet on Wednesday (10th June) while the North Coastal District Fisheries Officers of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari have been asked to mobilize the stakeholders for the meeting on Friday (12th June) at Kakinada, East Godavari district.
Due to the nationwide lockdown recently, the entire supply chain in aquaculture sector got disrupted causing serious problem to farmers and hatchery operators in Andhra Pradesh. Several farmers had to panic harvest and distress sell their produce.
Also, due to the unavailability of SPF brood-stock during the lockdown period, most of the hatcheries stopped their operations, thereby impacting the quality seed supply during the same period.
According to sources, the State government may introduce a bill in this regard in the coming assembly session.
Andhra Pradesh is blessed with 1.74 lakh hectares of brackish water area and about 6 lakh hectares of freshwater resources. The total area under aquaculture is 1.96 lakh ha. (Includes Brackish Water area of 0.58 lakh ha and fresh water area of 1.38 lakh ha.).
Government of Andhra Pradesh have identified the fisheries as one of the growth engine under primary sector mission for achieving double digit inclusive growth.
AP ranks first in the country in total fish and prawn production and producing more than 70% of cultured shrimp in the country
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