AP to set up panel as aqua sector faces US tariff blow

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has expressed serious concern over the impact of newly imposed US tariffs on Andhra Pradesh’s aqua sector. In a review meeting on Monday, he underscored the fisheries sector’s contribution to the state’s GDP and assured that the government would stand firmly by affected farmers.
To tackle the crisis, the CM proposed a committee comprising aqua farmers, experts, exporters, MPEDA representatives, and officials to study the issue and recommend solutions. The government will act on the panel’s advice. Naidu noted that over three lakh farmers are directly involved in aquaculture, with around 50 lakh depending on it indirectly. He observed that the sector was already under stress, and the US tariffs had only worsened matters. Ecuador’s aquaculture policies were also discussed as a reference point.
The CM said that he had written to the Centre and urged it to initiate talks with the US. He supported free trade agreements with countries like South Korea and the EU and promised state–Centre coordination on this front.
He also instructed traders to maintain Rs220 per kg for 100-count prawns and emphasised better water quality to improve yields.  “Do not lose hope. We’ll tide over this together,” he told stakeholders.