YSRCP slams govt over neglect of aqua, agri farmers

Tadepalli, April 13: Former APSADA Chairman and YSR Congress Party’s Farmers’ Wing Working President, Vaddi Raghuram, criticized the state government for favoring aqua feed companies linked to alliance party leaders while neglecting the plight of farmers.
Speaking to the media at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, Raghuram pointed out that while the cost of soybean – a key raw material in aqua feed – dropped from Rs. 100 to Rs. 25 per kg, the feed price was reduced by only Rs. 4 per kg. He alleged that this minimal reduction benefited companies owned by ruling party leaders more than the farmers. He questioned whether this wasn’t a form of exploitation.
Raghuram said the aqua sector was being controlled by alliance-linked companies and that the empowerment committee formed during the YSRCP rule to regulate feed and seed prices was dismantled. He claimed the new committee now favors private players instead of farmers.
He accused the government of using increased tariffs as an excuse while feed prices were still high and shrimp purchase prices were being lowered. He demanded that the government ensure a minimum of Rs. 270 per kg for 100-count shrimp.
On agricultural issues, Raghuram stated that paddy, banana, and chili farmers were facing huge losses, and the government had failed to intervene. He called for the appointment of IAS officers in every district to oversee paddy procurement at support prices. He warned that if the government continues to ignore farmers, YSRCP will launch large-scale protests.