Andhra Pradesh’s fisheries and food processing sectors are being positioned as a national model, said Minister Kollu Ravindra. Speaking at an event in Kurumaddali village, Pamarru constituency, Krishna district, on Thursday, Ravindra praised the government’s efforts to turn the state into a hub for the aqua industry. The event also marked the virtual inauguration of the Syam Aqua Processing Plant by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union Minister Srinivasa Varma was present at the occasion.
Minister Ravindra highlighted that Andhra Pradesh’s extensive coastline, stretching nearly 1,000 kilometers, supports millions of livelihoods. Between 2014 and 2019, the state generated thousands of crores in revenue through seafood exports to international markets.
He attributed the rise of aqua hubs along the coast to support from both the central and state governments. However, Ravindra noted the challenges faced by the aqua sector, particularly issues around high feed costs, poor quality seed, and exploitation by syndicates and Many farmers, burdened by debt and financial losses, were forced to abandon their operations.
The minister expressed concern about the current reluctance of investors, mentioning that renowned companies like Lulu have opted not to invest in Andhra Pradesh.
Union Minister Srinivasa Varma, however, assured that the central government would continue to support the development of the state’s fisheries sector by providing subsidies for the food processing industry. He also emphasized the need to integrate the food processing sector with the MSME sector to boost growth. Varma welcomed the establishment of the Syam Aqua Processing Plant, which promises to generate employment for 2,000 people. While prawn processing is already underway in the state, Varma stressed the need to establish fish processing units as soon as possible to further enhance the sector’s potential.
Source: Deccan Chronicle
