Crucial -Meet : state-level coordination body for prawn production and marketing.

High-Level Meeting Held to Establish Andhra Pradesh Prawn Producers Company (APPPC)

Penamaluru, April 15, 2025: A significant high-level meeting was convened  at the office of the Fisheries Commissioner in Penamaluru to deliberate on the establishment of the Andhra Pradesh Prawn Producers Company (APPPC). The meeting focused on exploring all possibilities, logistics, methodologies, and frameworks, including flowcharts, to facilitate the formation of a state-level coordination body for prawn production and marketing.

The session witnessed the participation of several prominent dignitaries, including NECC Vice President . Suresh Rayudu Chitturi, Hon’ble Deputy Speaker . Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, APIIC Chairman . Manthena Ramaraju, . Beeda Mastan Rao from BMR Industries, Co-Vice Chairman of AP State Aquaculture Development Authority . Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy, along with key stakeholders from the aquaculture industry, aqua farmers, and senior government officials. The meeting was presided over by the Hon’ble Deputy Speaker.

Key Discussions and Decisions

1. Formation of APPPC:
It was collectively agreed that instead of forming a national coordination body, a state-focused entity titled Andhra Pradesh Prawn Producers Company (APPPC) would be more feasible and practical. The term "National" would be removed to reflect a state-level identity and ownership.

2. Structure and Funding Model:
Participants engaged in an in-depth discussion on the structural framework of APPPC, modeled on Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). This would enable the company to access central government funding. Discussions also included leveraging celebrity endorsements to promote prawn consumption and publicize their high nutritional value—emphasizing their superior protein content compared to eggs. It was proposed that prawns be sold in ready-to-cook packets (100g, 250g, and 500g) via local chicken retail shops to increase accessibility.

3. Support for Aqua Farmers:
The needs of aquaculture farmers, including crop requirements, export promotion, domestic consumption, price stability based on shrimp count, crop sustainability, and cost-reduction methods for economical production, were thoroughly discussed.

4. Domestic Consumption and Marketing Strategies:
The meeting emphasized increasing India’s per capita prawn consumption through the formation of APPPC. Discussions were held on refining national marketing strategies for aquaculture products from Andhra Pradesh and other states. It was resolved to take all necessary steps to develop this committee.

5. Zonal APPPC Framework and Price Finalization:
A strategic decision was made to establish APPPC in a cluster-based structure across state divisions and zones to boost international exports. Following detailed discussions with the Export Association, prawn prices were finalized based on size count as follows:

6. Price Stability and Monitoring:
The finalized prices will be valid for the next ten days. A Price Stabilization Committee, comprising four aqua farmers, four exporters, and official representatives, will be formed to reassess and revise the prices on April 25, 2025.

This initiative marks a transformative step toward organizing the aquaculture sector in Andhra Pradesh, ensuring farmer welfare, boosting exports, and expanding domestic consumption through strategic planning and coordinated action.