Andhra Pradesh Aqua Farmers Declare Life-and-Death Struggle, Issue September 30 Ultimatum

Thousands of aqua farmers from across coastal Andhra Pradesh converged in Amalapuram, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, for a massive state-level convention titled "Aqua Rythu Brathuku Poratam" (Aqua Farmers' Life-and-Death Struggle). Cultivators representing coastal belts from Srikakulam to Nellore staged a high-voltage protest rally from Peruru Y Junction to the Kshatriya Kalyana Mandapam, warning the Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government that the state's multi-billion-dollar aquaculture sector is on a "ventilator."

Leaders of the AP Aqua Rythu Sangham pointed out that commercial feed manufacturers have repeatedly and unilaterally hiked feed prices, dumping an additional burden of ₹1.30 lakh per acre on cultivators. Farmers are also suffering widespread crop failures due to inferior-quality seeds supplied by unregulated hatcheries, while processing units and export cartels have formed syndicates to artificially depress shrimp procurement rates by ₹30 to ₹50 per kilogram. Farmers expressed deep anguish that despite generating thousands of crores in state revenue and vital foreign exchange for the country, they receive negligible institutional subsidies and zero price safety nets.

The convention formally resolved that if the government fails to roll back feed prices, standardize minimum procurement rates, and adopt cost-cutting models like those used in Vietnam before September 30, farmers will stop purchasing seeds, feed, and aqua medicines from private companies starting October 1. Should the standoff persist, they will enforce a total cultivation holiday. Agricultural economists warn that a six-month farming pause could trigger severe economic aftershocks, jeopardizing the livelihoods of lakhs of processing workers, cold-chain operators, and allied coastal laborers.