Aqua farmers in AP demand cancellation of US trade agreements

Amalapuram: Leaders of the AP Farmers Association, Tenant Farmers Association, and Agricultural Workers Association have urged the state and central governments to immediately cancel trade agreements with the US, citing severe financial distress for aqua farmers following steep import tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

Shrimp prices hit hard by tariff hike

Speaking at the local public associations office, AP Farmers Association State leader K. Satthibabu, Agricultural Workers Association State Vice President Kaarem Venkateswara Rao, and Tenant Farmers Association District Secretary Peethala Ramachandra Rao said shrimp farming spans over 4 lakh acres across eight districts of Andhra Pradesh. India exports 7.16 lakh tons of aqua products annually, but the recent 50% tariff on shrimp exports by the US has caused a steep fall in prices, hitting farmers directly.

Unfair tariff disparities among nations

Leaders noted that the US has levied the highest tariff of 50% on India, compared to 20% on Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, 19% on Pakistan, and just 13.78% on Ecuador, which competes with India in shrimp exports. They described the move as discriminatory and said it placed Andhra’s aqua farmers at a severe disadvantage.

Impact on farmers and women workers

The associations warned that the crisis in the aquaculture sector will not only affect shrimp farmers but also thousands of women agricultural workers and small and marginal farmers dependent on the industry for survival. They stressed the need for immediate state and central intervention.

Demands for government support

The leaders demanded that:

The government put pressure on the US to withdraw the tariffs.

A counter guarantee be provided through MPEDA to purchase aqua products at prices not lower than the current market rate.

Export companies be restricted from reducing purchase prices citing US tariffs.

Trade agreements with the US that threaten the aqua sector be cancelled immediately.

Agitations planned in Konaseema

The leaders announced that in the coming days, aqua farmers, small and marginal farmers, and agricultural workers in Konaseema district will intensify agitations, highlighting the devastating impact of US-India trade agreements on the livelihoods of lakhs of people.