India's Piyush Goyal commits to fair prices and export growth for aquaculture and tobacco farmers

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthen the aquaculture sector, improve farmers’ livelihoods and boost India’s coastal economy. In a social‑media post he said he had a productive meeting with stakeholders from Andhra Pradesh’s aquaculture and tobacco industries, discussing fair prices, better market access and new export opportunities.

On the same day Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wrote to the centre requesting several measures: permission to import genetically modified soybean meal for shrimp feed, regulation of fish‑meal exports to ensure domestic supply, export incentives for tobacco, a reduction in GST on key aquaculture inputs and the establishment of a regional office of the National Fisheries Development Board in Amaravati. The meeting was also attended by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma and other senior officials.

The announced steps aim to create a supportive ecosystem for aquaculture and tobacco farmers, enhance India’s global trade position and generate new income sources for rural communities.