A.P. govt. aims to bring 10 lakh acres under aquaculture by 2029-30; Naidu calls sector a growth engine

The CM advises farmers to adopt eco-friendly practices to mitigate pollution issues, says achieving a steady 30% growth rate is possible by leveraging technology

All aqua farming activities must be registered and unregulated practices will be subject to strict enforcement, says Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has emphasised that effective use of technology can yield remarkable results in the aquaculture sector.

“At present, aquaculture is practised on 4 lakh acres in the State and the government aims to expand it to 10 lakh acres by 2029-30. By leveraging technology and adopting innovative methods, achieving a steady 30% growth rate is possible,” the Chief Minister said at the three-day Aqua Tech 2.0 Conclave, here, on Tuesday.

Mr. Naidu highlighted that natural farming practices in aquaculture would help enhance global demand for aqua products from Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. Naidu said the aquaculture industry should act as a growth engine for the State’s economic prosperity. He, however, insisted that this growth must be achieved in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Mr. Naidu advised the farmers and aqua businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices to mitigate pollution-related issues in the sector.

“For agro-based industries to have a sustainable future, production and processing must go hand in hand. The government is committed to supporting all such initiatives. All aqua farming activities must be registered. Unregulated practices would be subject to strict enforcement,” Mr. Naidu said.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting the aqua industry while ensuring adherence to regulations, particularly regarding pollution control.

Use of AI

“In 1995, I stressed Information Technology (IT). Today, I emphasise Artificial Intelligence (AI). We must embrace technology to reduce costs and improve quality. AI should be extensively integrated with aquaculture. Shrimp farmers often suffer losses due to viral infections, but AI can help predict potential diseases, allowing preventive measures. Some may not fully understand AI yet, but its adoption is inevitable. By effectively utilising AI tools, we can enhance productivity and profitability. AI-driven data analysis can even forecast potential outbreaks, enabling timely interventions,” he said.

Stating that the government has a special focus on the aqua sector, he said that Andhra Pradesh was highly conducive to aquaculture.

“Between 2014 and 2019, this industry was a major revenue generator for the State, contributing 8.8% to the Gross Value Added (GVA). While countries such as Vietnam have lower production levels than us, they lead in valuation. To achieve similar success, we must focus on value addition through processing,” he said.

“The industry should be ready to face greater global competitiveness. Waste-to-wealth initiatives can also help meet many challenges with the industry,” he added.