Subsidised Power Brings Relief to Aqua Farmers
For aqua farmers, electricity is not just another operating expense. Water pumping and other farm operations require a reliable power supply, and where electricity is unavailable or expensive, farmers often have to depend on diesel engines.
For aqua farmers in Krishnapatnam, Muthukur mandal, Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, the availability of subsidised electricity at ₹1.50 per unit is being seen as a major relief. Farmers recently thanked local MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, saying the intervention helped address their long-standing concerns over rising power and diesel costs.
Farmers Highlighted Diesel Costs
According to the farmers featured in the video, they had earlier depended heavily on diesel engines to operate their aquaculture farms. The cost of diesel and oil had made farming increasingly expensive, putting additional pressure on their margins.
The farmers said that electricity was available to them at around ₹2 per unit in 2019. They claimed that electricity charges subsequently increased, with some farmers facing bills at rates ranging from around ₹4.50 to ₹6 per unit.
They also said that while a small number of aqua farmers in Krishnapatnam had earlier received electricity at the subsidised rate of ₹1.50 per unit, the benefit was not available uniformly across the farming community.
Farmers Took Up the Issue
The farmers said they approached Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy and submitted a memorandum outlining the difficulties they were facing.
According to their account, the MLA took up the issue with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The farmers now say that subsidised electricity at ₹1.50 per unit is being made available to aqua farmers in the area.
For farmers who had been relying on diesel-powered engines, the change is particularly significant because electricity costs directly affect the economics of aquaculture operations.
Farmers Thank MLA for Support
Following the reported extension of the subsidised power benefit, aqua farmers from Krishnapatnam met Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy at his office in Vedayapalem, Nellore.
The farmers felicitated the MLA and expressed their appreciation for the support in addressing their electricity-related concerns. They also said that the benefit was being extended to aqua farmers irrespective of political affiliation.
For aquaculture farmers operating on tight margins, lower energy costs can provide some relief at a time when production expenses remain a major concern.
Why Power Costs Matter in Aquaculture
Electricity is an important component of modern aquaculture operations. Depending on the farm system, power may be required for water pumping, aeration and other essential activities.
When farmers have to depend on diesel engines, fluctuations in fuel prices can quickly increase operating costs. A more affordable and reliable electricity supply can therefore help farmers manage one part of their recurring production expenses.
The Krishnapatnam farmers' experience also highlights a broader issue for aquaculture: access to affordable energy can directly influence farm economics and profitability.
A Relief for Farmers, but Wider Implementation Matters
The ₹1.50-per-unit electricity support is being welcomed by aqua farmers in Krishnapatnam as a way to reduce the burden of energy costs. However, the exact eligibility conditions, number of beneficiaries and implementation details of the subsidy would need to be confirmed through official electricity department or government records.
For aqua farmers, the larger question is whether affordable and reliable power can be made consistently available to eligible farms across aquaculture-producing regions of Andhra Pradesh.
