CM Naidu Seeks Centre's Support for Aqua, Tobacco Farmers

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday appealed to Union Ministers to protect the interests of aquaculture and tobacco farmers by writing separate letters. 

In letter written to Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy development Rajiv Ranjan Singh, the Chief Minister urged the Centre to permit shrimp feed manufacturers to import genetically modified (GM) soybean meal to support the aquaculture



sector.

The Chief Minister explained that the sharp increase in soybean meal prices, the primary raw material used in shrimp feed, has significantly raised feed production costs, placing severe financial stress on shrimp farmers. He requested the Centre to allow soybean meal imports to address the domestic shortage and stabilize prices. 

The CM recalled that similar import permissions had been granted to shrimp feed manufacturers on a limited scale in 2021.