This is the 'shrimp

This is the 'shrimp'.. ❗

. Syndicate is cutting prices indiscriminately
. Coalition government is ignoring
. Growing dissatisfaction among aqua farmers
. Rapid steps towards cultivation strike
. Grievances over not getting remunerative prices
. Crop break in many villages of West Godavari district
. The same is true for farmers in other districts

Shrimp farmers are in distress. They are suffering from not getting remunerative prices. This plight has arisen because exporters have cut prices indiscriminately, citing Trump tariffs. However, the coalition government is not paying attention. As a result, farmers are feeling distressed. They are protesting against the government's approach.

They are going on a cultivation strike. The majority of farmers in the state, who have already completed 25 percent of the area, are taking steps towards a harvest break. They are feeling that the prices announced by the government and paid by the companies are not profitable for them at all.

Protest in West Godavari

A week ago, farmers from Siragalapalli and Chanduparru villages in Palakollu constituency of West Godavari district, Yelamanchili mandal, launched a cultivation strike. Recently, farmers from Narasapuram mandal, along with Toorutthallu village, and Podur mandal in the same district are also preparing for a cultivation strike. They are protesting by putting up boards near the ponds saying that they will no longer do aqua farming and that they have decided to observe a crop holiday. Farmers from Eluru, East Godavari, Krishna, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Kakinada, Nellore, and Prakasam districts are also preparing for a cultivation strike.

Aquaculture in 5.72 lakh acres

According to e-FISH data in the state, 1.62 lakh aqua farmers are cultivating in 5.72 lakh acres. The maximum number of aqua farmers is in Eluru, West Godavari and Krishna districts, where 1.20 lakh people are cultivating aqua in 4.25 lakh acres.

In the name of counts..Extortion in the name of counts

Currently, due to increased lease, feed, and electricity charges, shrimp costs up to Rs. 220-250 per kg to reach 100 counts. Similarly, to reach 50 counts, it costs up to Rs. 330-350 per kg, and to reach a maximum of 30 counts, it costs Rs. 450 per kg. But currently, companies have announced prices of 100 counts at Rs. 230, 50 counts at Rs. 325, and 30 counts at Rs. 425.

Even at these prices, exporters, processing companies, traders, and village-level shrimp purchasing shed managers have formed a syndicate and are imposing price cuts. They are cutting prices from Rs. 10 to Rs. 30 per kg. For 1-3 tons, they are paying Rs. 220 for 100 counts, Rs. 310 for 50 counts, and Rs. 400 for 30 counts. If the quality is slightly lower, they are cutting prices even more heavily.