Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying on 12th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
This report outlines the measures taken by the Government of India and the Government of Andhra Pradesh to address the economic challenges faced by aquaculture farmers, such as rising feed costs and declining market prices. Key interventions include significant reductions in customs duties and GST on aquaculture inputs, along with state-level electricity subsidies and feed price cuts. The document confirms that no official state-wide crop holiday has been implemented and emphasizes efforts to improve sector profitability and competitiveness.
Key Points / Main Content
Farmer Demographics and Current Challenges
Andhra Pradesh has approximately 2.16 lakh aquaculture farmers operating across 5.79 lakh acres of freshwater and brackish water.
Farmers are currently facing difficulties due to an increase in the cost of fish feed and a decline in market prices.
State-Level Interventions (Andhra Pradesh)
Feed Cost Reduction: Consultations with manufacturers led to a price reduction of ₹4.00 per kilogram for shrimp feed.
Electricity Subsidy: Registered aqua farmers are provided electricity at a subsidized tariff of ₹1.50 per unit.
Stakeholder Coordination: The State Fisheries Department is actively coordinating with farmers’ associations, exporters, and value-added enterprises to resolve industry issues.
Central Government Fiscal Measures
Customs Duty Rationalization: In the 2024–25 and 2025–26 Union Budgets, customs duties on 16 key aquaculture inputs were reduced from 30% to between 0–5%.
GST Reductions: In September 2025, GST rates for over 20 fisheries and aquaculture-related products (including equipment, feed ingredients, and water conditioners) were lowered from 12–18% to 5%.
Strategic Objectives
Profitability: These measures aim to lower production costs and enhance the income of fish farmers.
Post-Harvest Management: Both State and Central governments are promoting value-added enterprises to minimize post-harvest losses.
Competitiveness: Fiscal reforms are intended to increase the global competitiveness of India’s aquaculture sector.
Impact Analysis
Aqua FarmersImpact
Farmers benefit from a significant reduction in operational expenses through cheaper electricity, lower feed prices, and reduced costs for essential inputs like nets and equipment.
Action Required
Farmers must ensure they are registered with the State Government to qualify for the subsidized electricity tariff of ₹1.50 per unit.
Feed ManufacturersImpact
Manufacturers are impacted by an agreement to lower the market price of shrimp feed.
Action Required
Manufacturers must implement the agreed-upon price reduction of ₹4.00 per kilogram.
Value-Added Enterprises and ExportersImpact
These stakeholders are part of a coordinated effort to improve the economic viability of the sector and benefit from GST reductions on value-added seafood products.
Action Required
Engage with the State Fisheries Department to minimize post-harvest losses and augment farmer income through value-addition.
Government Departments (State and Central)Impact
Agencies are responsible for implementing fiscal policies and coordinating between various industry stakeholders.
Action Required
Maintain active coordination with farmers' associations and monitor the impact of duty rationalizations on sector profitability.
Key Entities Referenced
Andhra Pradesh: The primary state where aquaculture relief measures are being implemented, including subsidized electricity tariffs and feed price reductions for registered farmers.
Department of Fisheries: The central government department under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying coordinating national and state-level policy interventions for aqua farmers.
Union Budgets 2024–25 and 2025–26: Key policy documents that rationalized customs duties on 16 aquaculture inputs, reducing rates from 30% to as low as 0–5% to lower production costs.
e-Fish platform: The digital database used by the State Government to record and manage data for approximately 2.16 lakh aquaculture farmers in Andhra Pradesh.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh: The Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying who officially presented these policy measures and sector data in the Rajya Sabha.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
PROBLEMS FACED BY AQUA FARMERS
प्रव तथ: 12 AUG 2026 1:34PM by PIB Delhi
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has informed that as per data recorded on the e-Fish platform and as
per the database maintained by the State Government, approximately 2.16 lakh aquaculture farmers are
engaged in aquaculture activities in the State, covering about 5.79 lakh acres under freshwater and
brackish water aquaculture.
As reported by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, aqua farmers in the State are facing difficulties due to
the decline in market prices and increase in the cost of fish feed. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has
taken various measures to address the issue, including initiatives to reduce feed cost. In this regard, feed
manufacturers have agreed to reduce the price of shrimp feed by Rs.4.00 per kilogram.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has informed that the State Fisheries Department is actively
coordinating with aqua farmers’ associations, value-added enterprises, exporters and other stakeholders to
address the issues faced by fish and shrimp farmers. It has also been informed by the State Government
that no State-wide crop holiday has been officially implemented.
The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, in coordination with the Government of Andhra
Pradesh, is taking various measures to safeguard the interests of aqua farmers in the State. As informed by
the State Government, registered aqua farmers are being provided electricity at a subsidised tariff of ₹1.50
per unit. Further, through consultations with feed manufacturers, the price of shrimp feed in the State has
been reduced by ₹4.00 per kilogram. Recognising the importance of improving the economic viability of
shrimp farming, the Government of India has undertaken several policy measures to reduce the cost of
aquaculture production. In the Union Budgets 2024–25 and 2025–26, customs duties on 16 key
aquaculture inputs were rationalised, with rates reduced from 30% to as low as 0–5%, thereby lowering
the cost of essential inputs. Further, in September 2025, the Government of India approved the reduction
of GST rates from 12–18% to 5% on more than 20 fisheries and aquaculture-related products, including
farm equipment, feed ingredients, water conditioners, fishing nets and value-added seafood products.
These measures are expected to reduce production costs, improve the profitability of farmers across
various States, including Andhra Pradesh, and enhance the competitiveness of India’s aquaculture sector.
In addition, the Government of India and the State Government are promoting value-added enterprises to
minimise post-harvest losses and augment the income of fish farmers.
This Information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan
Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Rajya Sabha in response to a question asked.
JP
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