Amaravati: Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu emphasized the immense potential of the aqua sector as a key growth engine for Andhra Pradesh’s economy. Speaking at the concluding session of the three-day Aquatech-2.0 conclave, organized by the Global Forum for Sustainable Transformation (GFST), Naidu highlighted the transformative role of technology in revolutionizing aquaculture.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the aqua sector could achieve a 30% growth rate by adopting modern methods and leveraging advanced technologies. He stressed the importance of organic farming in aquaculture, noting that global demand for organic aqua products is on the rise. Naidu also called for innovative changes in aquaculture feed to enhance productivity and sustainability.
With aquaculture currently practiced on four lakh acres in the state, Naidu set an ambitious target of expanding it to 10 lakh acres by 2029-30. However, he underscored the need for pollution-free practices, urging farmers to adhere to strict guidelines and adopt sustainable methods like stringnet techniques to control pollution.
The conclave, which concluded on Tuesday, focused on addressing challenges, exploring opportunities, and promoting technological advancements in the sector. Participants emphasized the importance of educating farmers about the benefits of technology in aquaculture to improve yields and profitability.
Naidu also advocated for the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in aquaculture to reduce costs, enhance quality, and predict disease outbreaks. He highlighted the changing food habits of consumers and urged farmers to adapt to meet growing demands. The Chief Minister envisioned a future where details of food production are readily available online, enabling better market access for farmers.
Reflecting on Andhra Pradesh’s success in aquaculture between 2014 and 2019, Naidu expressed optimism about the sector’s potential to strengthen the state’s economy. He called for collective efforts to promote technology-driven aquaculture, ensuring sustainable growth and improved livelihoods for farmers.
